Petrie takes to social media to provide MURC update

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie released a video last week to update the public on the progress being made on the town’s Multi-Use Recreation Centre (MURC).

“A state-of-the-art facility designed to bring people together to support active living and create opportunities for all ages…This project is part of a bigger vision, a plan to shape our community driven by strong partnerships and focused on making Ingersoll a better place to live, work and play,” stated Petrie.

One of those partners could be peopleCare, a well-known senior care company in southwestern Ontario, which is looking to develop a long-term care home (LTC) on the same site as the recreation centre.

“Site preparation begins this year, including water, wastewater and utilities. Oxford County is also moving forward with a roundabout at Clark and Harris to support future growth,” added CAO Michael Graves.

The town also issued a news release, saying a new LTC home would answer community calls and align with provincial goals for expanded seniors housing and care services.

“This innovative collaboration is a positive step forward in addressing the growing need for additional long-term care capacity in our region while maximizing the potential of this property through a strategic, collaborative development process. peopleCare develops senior living communities of care that can include seniors’ apartments, retirement, assisted living and LTC, depending on the needs of each community.”

Locating a LTC home on the same site as the centre in a campus model offers numerous benefits to both projects including shared infrastructure reducing overall development costs, intergenerational programming opportunities between MURC users and care facility residents, enhanced quality of life for seniors through access to recreation amenities and increased visitors to the area, supporting local

“Adding LTC beds in Ingersoll would ease waitlist pressures on LTC homes in the area and free up beds in the local hospital for those who need acute care. As a significant investment in the community, peopleCare’s development would also create hundreds of jobs and boost the local economy. Having cared for seniors in Tavistock for close to 60 years, and with a 160-bed LTC home under construction in Tillsonburg, peopleCare has long-standing partnerships in Oxford County,” added the release.

“peopleCare is committed to supporting the government’s goals to expand and improve care for seniors. We’re always looking to partner with municipalities where the need is greatest,” explained Sheena Campbell, the company’s VP of communications.

“Ingersoll is very forward-thinking and, as discussions progressed, it became clear that enhancing senior living alongside the MURC at its new location at Clark and Harris Road supports our shared goal of complementary developments and a connected community,” she added.

PeopleCare has not been awarded any beds for the Ingersoll project yet, but an application was submitted to the province in 2022 to build a 160-bed home.

“In every community, we look to partner to enhance in ways that strengthen community connections. The plan to co-locate a new, purpose-built long-term care home with the town’s new rec centre, housing and a school is a thoughtful, community-centred approach to development,” explained Campbell.

She added when peopleCare develops a community of care they think about what matters most to people, regardless of age.

“That means focusing on vitality, wellness and purpose, creating opportunities for learning and contribution, access to green space and shared spaces that bring people together. In Ingersoll, this will foster meaningful connections between seniors and the broader neighbourhood, enable access to important amenities and support overall wellbeing. It reflects a shared commitment to supporting older adults in Ingersoll to live with vitality, connection, and purpose as they age.”

peopleCare is also breaking ground this year on a new LTC home on Trent University’s campus in Peterborough, complemented by an exciting teaching and research agreement. It will eventually be part of a larger intergenerational seniors’ village, with natural surroundings and plenty of opportunities for connection, learning, and staying mentally and physically active.

“It’s early days, and we look forward to continuing conversations with the Ministry of LTC and our partners in Oxford about our proposed home. We’ll also be working with the town on master site planning and we’re excited about the art of the possible for seniors and their families in Ingersoll,” added Campbell.

Petrie said in the video the town badly needs the new recreation centre and construction on the new facility starts in the spring of 2026.

“It will feature an arena, walking track, gymnasium and community spaces for events, programs and activities,” he explained.

The town has hired Colliers Project Leaders for project management and has chosen the same design team which delivered the Wellesley Township Recreation Complex on time and on budget.

The new MURC is expected to open its doors in 2027.

For more information, visit https://www.ingersoll.ca/town-hall/murc-project/