Beam-signing marks milestone for Tri-County Mennonite Homes expansion

Wilmot Township Mayor Natasha Salonen, Tri-County Mennonite Homes board members, staff, construction crew members and TCMH CEO Steven Harrison pose in front of the signed beam during a milestone event in New Hamburg. Amanda Nelson photo

By Amanda Nelson

Last week, staff and community members gathered to celebrate a beam-signing milestone at Tri-County Mennonite Homes (TCMH) in New Hamburg.

Wilmot Township Mayor Natasha Salonen was the first to sign and addressed staff and the community, noting her support for continued growth across Wilmot.

“This vision serves our community and continues to grow as part of our community,” she said. “When I drive down Arnold Street, I’m always excited to see this vision come to life.”

The facility promises high-quality, compassionate care for the community’s elders and represents a commitment to dignity and family proximity.

“Today is one of those moments where you pause and look around and feel both a sense of pride and gratitude,” said Steven Harrison, TCMH CEO. “Not long ago, this was a vision — conversations around tables, sketches on paper, hopes being shared by family, staff and community members who knew you could do better for those in our community.”

TCMH received approval to construct one year ago, on Jan. 20, 2025. Once approval to construct was in place, the tender was awarded to Melloul-Blamey of Waterloo, and construction began in February 2025.

“The speed of this progress matters,” said Harrison. “It speaks to the urgency, it speaks to the commitment and it speaks to a shared understanding of the need for compassionate, high-quality, long-term care in our community.”

The new space will create 63 more beds to better serve elders in the community and increase long-term care capacity in the area.

Each resident floor is called a resident home area (RHA). Each RHA will have 32 beds, a lounge, dining room, servery, nursing station, care room and a harvest room, a multi-use room for activities or expanded dining space.

The main floor of the building will be dedicated to service spaces such as offices, the kitchen, laundry, maintenance and receiving. The main floor will also include reception and common spaces such as the café and the spiritual room, similar to a chapel.

The grounds at the back of the building will overlook the Nith River and will include a seating area, a garden and accessible pathways for residents and families to enjoy. The pathways will connect to future pathways on the river flats.

“Now that we’ve signed this beam, we are leaving our mark, not just on a piece of steel, but on the future,” said Harrison. “Long after construction crews are gone, the dust has settled and residents have moved in, this beam will quietly support moments of care, comfort and laughter.”

Those interested in making a donation can visit www.newnithview.ca/donate.