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The Canadian Champion, Tuosday, Dcember 2, 1997 -11 Renovation inches ahead amid controversy By BRAD REAUME The Champion Halton Region has inched dloser to renovating Martin House, the last original facility at Milton's Allendale senior residence. But even that modest step prompted the begin- nings of a north-south turf battie. On the one aide, Milton politicians pressed to get on with the project. On the other, some Burlington and Oakville representatives lobbied for more senior care in their municipalities, something they feel has been sorely lacking too long. Regional counicil has only decided to consider renovations to Martin House. The plan passed last week, but not without substantial argument on where the beds should be located and how the idea feeds into recom- mendations of the Health Services Restructuring Commission. A design for Martin House and the 100 long term case beds in the facility has been 10 years in the maldng. Originally Martin House was to be tom down and beds moved to a new facility to he built in Walter Mulkewlch south Halton, after the construction of Allendale. However, economic difficulties put that on the back humer. Now regional counicil appears to he convinced of the economy of maintaining Martin House and even expanding its capacity to 150 beds through renovations. Burlington mayor-elect Rob Maclsaac ssid it was prudent to put off the decision until council had s chance to reply to thse Health Restructuring Commission. But most counicillors felt the two processes were independent and Halton will get funding for many more long termn care beds. "The restructuring report has nothing to do with this," said Burlington Councillor Jack Dennison, who has shepherded the proposai thmough council. "Thse restructuring report will only be better for Halton, not worse." Oakville Councîllor Kathy Graham, who until recently had a family member at Allendale, said Martin House is "in desperate need of renova- tion." Milton Councillor Colin Best said there are more than 400 people on the waiting list to get into Allendale. Thse renovation plan would bring the cunrent l00-bed facility at Martin House up to date and provide space for an additional 50 long term case beds. Funding for the additional beda is expected to be announced by the province in the spring. The mayors of Burlington and Oakville both supported Mr. Maclsaac. 'To say this is not included in the health case restructuring retlects a complete misunderstand- ing of health care service integration in Ontario," said Burlington Mayor Walter Mulkewich. "Hospitals are not just one little empire any more." Milton Mayor Gord Krantz pressed for action, saying council had been dithering on the issue for far too long. Taking issue with dlaims that Martin House issues have been undetermined for years, Mr. Mulkewich angrily said the plan to renovate Mantin House is little more than a year old. He explained that prior to that plans had always included moving 100 beds to the south. Mr. Best countered by saying only 30 per cent of long term care beds in the region are in Milton. Allendale is the only long term care facility operated by Halton Region. ACÔuxiTRy MILE: addi UkWhtuqI our s'I-orm -ktrm am~4,so i~F km~x '4u Cu6liLq -I- 4i -0oor/ 60cov&t hi .v,'o uio4- taq As bet-Çor& qou k.xoào i4%- wal ju be chri--ias Dq wil 94- A COMMTRY fflS ou Ilke, 'I-o iftvi-e. Isou... a- u oit N O1'fl J OL4 K . Wk kope. 4-o ste qjou 4I-e.re/ Have, at 6$a4Çe g H-apptj molidaqi Mon idaj t -S usqe SqMr 6 S40.