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Bethany Didsbury by Irwin Rapoport photos: reuben krabbe T he March 24, 2014 opening of the Bethany Didsbury con- tinuing care centre was a celebration for the greater Dids- bury community in central Alberta. Not only because this new residence provides a home and care for 100 seniors, in- cluding 25 rooms for seniors with Alzheimer's disease or oth- er forms of dementia, but it allows them to stay within their community and be close to their family and friends. The $23-million, two-storey residence has 100 suites and is designed to provide quality care for the residents and cre- ate a caring community environment for staff. "Prior to the opening of Bethany Didsbury, many area residents requiring care had to move from their community to an available bed in another location," says Jennifer McCue, Bethany's president and CEO. "There has been local demand for over a decade and Bethany is delighted to be part of the Didsbury community. We are committed to addressing the growing need to provide care for seniors in a supportive and safe environment." BKDI Architects was commissioned in December 2011 to design the multi-purpose residence, which provides care 24 hours a day, seven days a week by licensed practical nurses, healthcare aides and other care providers. "We have a team of architects, interior designers and land- scape architects who regularly attend the annual Environ- ments for Aging conferences in the U.S.," says architect Ross Roy. "In addition to attending sessions on dementia and other physical, social and psychological aspects of aging, we have toured the latest facilities in Florida, Louisiana and California. We also reviewed recent research on outdoor environments for people with dementia and new ideas in therapeutic land- scapes that explore healing gardens and restorative outdoor spaces. Our design team also participated in a 'virtual demen- tia' experience provided by Bethany. It provided considerable understanding for us when designing their environments." After interviewing staff from several care centres, the understanding BKDI gained allowed them to quickly find the layout that would offer the best efficiency from a service standpoint. "It was important to give a residential feel, in as many aspects as possible," says Roy. "Craftsman style details at the entrance, along with river rock and stucco (EIFS) are familiar elements to this commu- nity," he adds. "Daylight is perhaps one of the most important, yet overlooked aspects of senior facilities. It was a high prior- ity to provide a lot of intimate break-out spaces with good day- light. Daylight affects circadian rhythm and as such, affects the residents' sleep, physical and psychological well-being. As well, views to the gardens and surrounding farmland were important features." The landscape for Bethany Didsbury's outdoor spaces was Location 1201 – 15 Avenue, Didsbury, Alberta owner/DeveLoper Bethany Care Society project Manager Martin Consultants architect Zeidler BKDI Architects (formerly BKDI Architects) generaL contractor Stuart Olson StructuraL conSuLtant TRL & Associates MechanicaL conSuLtant Reinbold Engineering Group eLectricaL conSuLtant Robertson & Associates Engineering Ltd. (now Designcore Engineering Ltd.) LanDScape architect Matrix Landscape Architecture totaL area 90,000 square feet totaL coSt $23 million designed to provide a comfortable and safe setting for the residents and they are housed in four homes, with two homes forming a neighbourhood. Each neighbourhood has a secure outdoor courtyard, which includes a wandering pathway with a number of places to sit, relax and enjoy the outdoors. "The access to the courtyards is through covered porches with seating that allows more frail residents to participate in the outdoors while being sheltered from the elements," says Roy. "In general, the landscape design and plant materi- als have been selected for their hardy nature in the Didsbury climate and for their resistance to drought and Chinook condi- tions." The grass species was selected for reduced water con- sumption and low-maintenance requirements. In addition, all the plants have been chosen to provide a variety of colours and textures during all the seasons. The private suites have their own showers and bathrooms, bathroom storage spaces, and cabinets for clothes and belong- ings, and they were designed to allow residents and families to decorate and create a home-like atmosphere. Glenn Martin of Martin Consultants oversaw the planning and construction of the residence. "The project team met bi- weekly on site, monthly at Bethany, and as often as needed to monitor progress, make decisions and make adjustments to the project to keep it on time and on budget," says Martin. "There were many challenges both in the 'bricks and mor- tar' of the project," he adds, "but also this is a project that involved a new home for 100 individuals in the community who need not only this level of housing, but also the care and support to sustain them. Bethany, along with many people from the Alberta government, do a remarkable job of plan- ning for the care and support of individuals transferred to their new home." Partway through the project a decision was made to roof- in and enclose the interior courtyard space. "This major change to the construction included a myriad of technical details, drainage, planting, heating and cooling, ventilation, walkways and benches, access and egress to the other parts of the building, building code issues, all of which had to be considered and implemented on the fly through the run of the project," says Martin. Stuart Olson began the construction in October 2012 and delivered for occupancy in April 2014. The solid planning and discussions ensured the construction of the steel-framed building, with the frame enclosed over four months, was done smoothly. "It was pretty straightforward," says Jim Braden , Stuart Olson's senior project manager. "But when everything is laid out properly and correctly, and you're getting timely advice and directions, it allows for everything to go smoothly. It was well thought out by the architects and engineers, and we had a good con- sultant on the owner's side with Glenn Martin. The winter months did not pose a problem and materials were delivered as needed. It was nice to be involved in a project that benefits central Alberta." n october 2014 /83 bethany Didsbury 4:27 PM 12:52 PM 9:59 AM 1:28 PM

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