Perley Health/Andrew Fleck Children’s Services Intergenerational Care Facility
This project is a perfect example of how an existing facility, operated by Perley Health, that provides long-term care to over 600 seniors and veterans, can be expanded to create the first intergenerational early learning centre in Canada, operated by Andrew Fleck Children’s Services. The work involves renovation of 3500 ft² of existing space and the addition of 3800 ft² new construction.
The new facility will allow for 49 new childcare spaces that will see the kids interacting with seniors from the Perley Health facility who will have the opportunity to volunteer in the new program. Universal design principles guided this project to ensure accessibility for seniors with physical or cognitive challenges as well as children and able-bodied adults.
The use of colour for wayfinding and colour contrasts for visibility in the design of this project, colour is used to help both children and seniors navigate the space. Acoustic dampening is critical to keep the noise from the childcare centre from impacting other areas of the facility, and to accommodate people with sensitivity to noise.
The new childcare centre includes central gathering spaces that are over and above the ministry guideline recommendations. The shared space includes extra room to accommodate mobility devices including a kitchen where all can work together to make cookies, bake bread or engage in other types of hands-on learning. An outdoor play yard includes multiple, flat, even pathways allowing seniors with mobility challenges to interact with the kids outdoors. A large canopy will allow outdoor interactions even on rainy or snowy days. In the event that access to the main facility is temporarily suspended for infection control purposes, the childcare facility has space to accommodate dining. In this case, the centre would be accessed through the exterior entrance and operate with a dedicated ventilation system.