peopleCare says goodbye to School House and former long-term care home

Tavistock residents say farewell to the Old School House and hello to a new chapter in senior living. Photo by Diane Danen

By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With the new peopleCare long-term care (LTC) home up and running in Tavistock, the company’s attention has turned to tearing down the well-known Old School House and the previous home built in the 1970s.

“The team shared that the demo should take about another two weeks in total. The back half of the old LTC home is already down, and both the schoolhouse and the rest of the home will be completed in about two weeks,” said Sheena Campbell, the company’s vice president of communications.

Members of the community gathered last weekend to bid farewell to the Old School House, a structure that had stood since the 1800s and served as the original site of peopleCare, which began over 50 years ago.

In 1967, LeRoy and Ruth Schlegel founded peopleCare on William Street. Their grandson, Brent Gingerich, now chair and CEO, remembers being there as a child. He spent time tagging along with his parents, grandparents and staff, chatting with residents, and lending a hand with odd jobs around the home. He later worked in the activity and recreation department.

"There’s so much history here," said Gingerich. "My grandparents started peopleCare in that old school. It was a single-storey building originally, then a second floor and a box-like addition were added. It had so many purposes over the years, all to benefit the community."

Gingerich’s parents, O’Derald and Mary, opened a new building in the 1970s. The Old School House provided room for recreational activities as well as office space. Brent eventually took over running the home and growing the company into what it is today.

As for what comes next on the soon-to-be vacant areas of the property, Campbell said that remains to be seen.

“We want to continue delivering quality care and creating exceptional experiences for seniors and their families in Tavistock. We are going to explore options for the rest of the property with input from our municipal and community partners about the greatest needs in terms of both housing and broader community services,” said Campbell.

She added the company is well aware housing is top of mind in every community.

“We are looking forward to those conversations about how to make the most of the property for continued community benefit, for seniors and for all ages, and to support our goals of transforming experiences and creating vibrant intergenerational communities.”

Campbell said potential uses include seniors' apartments and other housing, depending on what makes sense based on what the community needs.

peopleCare is also looking to repurpose some materials from the original building such as beams, bricks and fieldstones from the foundation. 

The new long-term care home officially opened in October 2024, addressing a significant need for senior care and housing options in Tavistock. It features innovative design elements including sensory scapes, which are enhanced murals integrated with sensory items to enrich the environment. One wall is styled to resemble the Old School, complete with a vintage school desk. In collaboration with the local heritage society, a gallery wall was created showcasing photos of Gingerich’s grandparents, honouring the legacy they began decades ago. These thoughtful touches help residents feel connected to both the past and the community around them.

“Tavistock is a warm and welcoming place,” added Campbell. “To envision more seniors aging here surrounded by their community in a beautiful and modern home is simply wonderful.” 

With files from Diane Danen