Grand River Estates closure shocks Paris and area families
- Casandra Turnbull
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
A long-time Paris retirement home will close its doors this fall, leaving dozens of residents and their families scrambling to secure new accommodations.
Grand River Estates, formerly known as Penmarvian, announced Friday it will cease operations Nov. 28, giving residents the minimum 120 days’ notice required under Ontario’s Retirement Homes Act.
“This has been an exceedingly difficult decision and is due to several factors that have severely impacted the financial feasibility of Grand River Estates,” the notice read. The facility will continue operating at full service until the last resident is relocated.
In an email to The Paris Independent, management reiterated many aspects of the letter issued to residents, stating again, “The decision to close Grand River Estates was an incredibly difficult decision that was made after careful consideration of many factors.” Some questions asked surrounding the number of residents and staff were not answered. Instead, the email went on to say due to privacy concerns, no information regarding employees or residents will be disclosed and no further comments will be made.
For some families, the sudden announcement has been devastating.
Gwenda Coleman, 65, has lived at Grand River Estates for about five years. Her brother, Dale Snider, said the home was an ideal fit following her brain aneurysm and ongoing seizure disorder.
“Gwen loves the staff, nurses, PSWs, cooks and cleaners, as well as Grand River Estates’ general manager,” Snider said. Snider is financial and medical power of attorney for Gwen. “The food is good and she gets her meds on time. If something happens to Gwen and she needs to go to the hospital, they send her and call me right away so I’m aware of what’s happened. We are thrilled with the home.”
Now, he said, the news has left Gwen and all the residents distraught — “they don’t know what to do,” he added.
Snider said he and his wife are struggling to find suitable care within his sister’s budget. Grand River Estates provided a list of about 30 alternative facilities in Paris, Brantford, Kitchener and Cambridge, but many are too costly or have long waitlists.
“I don’t see it happening by Nov. 28,” he said. “It’s a very sad situation.”
Snider believes the loss of provincial subsidies for low-income retirement home residents has contributed to the home’s financial struggles. The retirement home once offered government-assisted rates, but the program was cancelled for new residents, leaving many facilities unable to fill rooms.
“If subsidies were brought back, these beds would be filled,” he said. “It gives people dignity and keeps them from becoming homeless.”
Grand River Estates operates as a 45-bed licensed retirement and assisted living facility, offering personal care, medication management, housekeeping and home-cooked meals. The building’s history dates back to 1845 when it was constructed as Riverview Hall by Paris founder Hiram “King” Capron. Over the decades it has served as a private residence, clergy retirement home and, since the late 1970s, a seniors’ care facility. According to the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority website, Penmarvian Retirement Home operated under that name until May 17, 2022.
The announcement has not only stirred anxiety for current residents but also marks the end of a nearly 150-year chapter in Paris’ social history.
Families and residents say they will miss the dedicated staff and the sense of community the home has provided. “It has been an honour providing care and support to each one of our residents,” the closure letter concluded. “You will be greatly missed.”