Clearview obtains real estate for youth centre, offices
Clearview Township has unveiled plans to purchase the Stayner Care Centre, a 49-bed nursing home and the adjacent building containing six apartments. The facility is located at 7308 Highway 26 with the main building set toward the rear of the 1.7- acre property and the “Wilcox Block” apartments fronting on Highway 26.
CAO John Ferguson told this week’s council meeting that the township has been looking for a new space to house the Clearview Youth Centre for some time, and that the administration centre on Gideon Street is bursting at the seams. When the Care Centre originally went on the market at $4,500,00 it was out of reach, but when the price was subsequently reduced to $2,500,000 it became quite interesting.
A Certified Canadian Appraisal done on behalf of the township valued the complex at $2.8 million. Ferguson says at that point, the township decided to make an offer of $2.8 million.
“Municipalities are classed as charitable under the Income Tax Act so we offered $2,800,000 including a tax receipt for a charitable donation of $800,000,” he said. “That reduces the township’s cost to $2 million.”
Stayner Care Centre owner Jarlette Health Services is building a new 128- bed facility in the east end of Stayner.
Ferguson says in order to get the deal accepted, the township agreed to cover real estate commission on the $800,000 (commissions are usually paid by the seller) and to remain flexible on the closing date for the transaction.
“The agreement has a closing date of August 27, 2025 with the caveat that it can be extended on 60 days notice as far out as August, 2027,” he said. “A new facility is being built with construction expected to be completed by March, 2025, but then time must beallowed for fit ups – the installation of technology in individual rooms.”
The main building is just over 16,000 square feet, with a front atrium area that is expected to become the new home of the Youth Centre. Mayor Doug Measures says there will be public consultation on how the remaining space should be used. Among the possible uses, according to Ferguson, are storage and/or meeting space for a variety of community groups, office space to handle overflow from the administration centre, and perhaps a warming centre or emergency housing.
The proposed purchase won the unanimous support of council, with the exception of Deputy Mayor Paul Van Staveren who recused himself from the discussion. Councillor Phyllis Dineen observed, “There is no way we could build this facility for $2 million.”
Ferguson says the goal is to have the deal finalized by Dec. 4.
