Prince Edward County Facebook photo
Prince Edward County and the province have officially broken ground on the H.J. McFarland 160-bed, long-term care redevelopment project.
Construction is underway now to build the new facility, which is located right beside the current H.J. McFarland Memorial Home in Picton. The new home is anticipated to welcome its first residents in 2027.
During the official ground-breaking celebration on Thursday, June 26, 2025, several provincial and municipal leaders were in attendance, in addition to H.J. McFarland residents and staff.
“Today is truly an exciting milestone for the future of long-term care here in Prince Edward County,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. “Featuring more private rooms and modern facilities, the municipality’s new long-term care home will significantly enhance the experience for our residents.
“This thoughtful design helps create a comfortable, inviting environment where everyone feels truly at home.”
The province said the project is a recipient of a construction funding subsidy top-up and is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by creating good jobs and building for the future, while ensuring long-term care residents get the quality of care and life they deserve.
According to officials, the new home is supposed to create a more intimate and familiar living space through private spaces, vibrant resident home areas, and space for communal activities. What’s more, the new facility will mean the ability to provide special services for nursing and personal care, food and diet, recreation, therapeutic and spiritual care, added officials.
Some of the amenities that are also being proposed to enhance residents’ overall quality of life include a hair salon, gallery, outdoor gardens, and exterior walking path complete with sitting areas.
“Our government is working to protect Ontario by investing in projects like this new long-term-care home in Prince Edward County to ensure seniors get the right care in the right place,” said John Jordan, parliamentary assistant to the minister of long-term care. “Today marks a significant milestone for the county (because) when construction is complete, 160 residents will have a new modern, comfortable place to call home.”
The County of Prince Edward operates the current H.J. McFarland facility, which was built in 1975. This redevelopment is supposed to roughly double the number of beds.
According to the province, this project represents continued progress toward its commitment to build 58,000 new and upgraded LTC beds across Ontario. Further, the province reports that as of this month, 147 projects representing a total of 23,977 new and redeveloped beds are either completed, under construction or have ministry approval to start building.
“This much-anticipated redevelopment will provide for dignified care and comfortable living in Prince Edward County close to families and the community,” added Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp. “Projects like this are what happens when all levels of government work together to get things done.”
The Ontario government is also reportedly launching a new construction funding support program to ensure long-term care operators and builders have additional flexibility and support to continue Ontario’s “historical level of construction.”
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
