Starting a new year has given us the opportunity to reflect on our achievements in the planning and development of the building.  2025 was a busy year on so many fronts. Working with our architects, Metafor, construction manager, CANA and our Owner’s Representative, Rob Copeland a lot of work has been complete to value engineer a building that will optimise effectiveness and practical application while maintaining a manageable budget. Changing costs of construction materials and labour has been an ongoing challenge for this group and we are very grateful for all that they have been able to achieve and know that this will continue as we move into construction.

Significant progress was made with the subdivision of the land and the transfer to Bow Valley Palliative by the landowners, Jan and Bernie McCaffery. We remain forever grateful to them for their perseverance and generosity in making this gift of land that will enable us to bring the Vision of the centre to life. The announcing of the Centre naming in December as the Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care, gave us the wonderful opportunity to also recognize to other generous donors – Don and Hanna Pestell.  Like Jan and Bernie, Don and Hanna have firmly believed in the need for a Centre like this in our community and provided the significant donation that will get us well on the way.

It is also important to recognize the volunteers who have been critical in the planning process and bringing us to this point. As well as our Board, the Building Committee, chaired by Bob Ellard and including Dale Hildebrand, Norm Dreger, and Julie Hamilton were instrumental in navigating the building planning and design over many iterations, but also in the selection of our Construction manager, CANA and providing advice from the wealth of their own experiences. The work of the Building Committee was handed over to Rob Copeland when he was appointed Owner’s Representative, but we are indebted to the Committee and the many hours that they gave to this project.

Our Operations Committee has also been an essential partner in planning for the Centre. From determining the program needs for the Centre and working with the Building Committee in incorporating this into the building design, their expertise and commitment ensure the finished space is both practical, effective, and delivers on the home away from home goal of this space. As we move into the next stage of planning for staffing models, the committee leadership transferred from Martin Buckley to Norm Dreger as an interim Chair and now Anne van der Aa. We are fortunate to have continuity of membership with Donna McKown, Norm Dreger, Dr. Catharine Hinds and we welcome new members to expand our expertise for the new phase.

It is safe to say that the Bow Valley community continues to play a very important role in the development of the Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care, and we would like to thank each and every one!

On November 21,  we welcomed over 50 people to our Open House event. Visitors were excited to see the plans and understand the kind of support that will be available to the community in the space. Staff and Board members were able to ‘walk’ through the space using plans and renderings and highlight some of the incredible features that are included.

From the ‘cuddle beds’ – clinical beds that expand to allow loved ones to lay comfortably side by side, the accessibility for people throughout the building including the outside and upstairs whether they are walking, in a chair or even bed. We were able to point out gathering spaces within the building for small groups, quiet areas for contemplation or support, space for collaboration and sharing and rooms for celebrations. As a result of touring similar spaces around the province, speaking to volunteers and staff who work in the space, along with families and residents, we have been able to take the ‘best of the best’ to build something that our Bow Valley community can be truly proud of and that we hope will serve generations to come.

The Open House event also provided us with the opportunity to reveal the name of our Centre. The Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care recognizes the incredible long time support for us from Don and Hanna Pestell and our vision, and their tremendous philanthropic gift. Together with Jan and Bernie McCaffery, the donors of the land, and all of the other generous donors who continue to support us, the plans that we presented will soon become a reality.  Our campaign goal is $25M and we are well on our way with over 30% raised to date. Our hope is to at least double this by the end of 2026 when our community will begin to see what an incredible asset the Centre will be, sitting amongst the beauty and nature of the Bow Valley, supporting us all.

As the documentation continues to be finalized on the land and the permits progress, we are taking the opportunity to share more about our space, what it will look like and what will be available to our community.  

We recently appreciated the opportunity to share this with the Rotary Club of Canmore, walked through the different spaces, spoke to the type of programs and supports that will be available and the importance of our community in helping us provide much needed support to everyone in the Bow Valley.  We have also been meeting with donors and those considering a donation, to show them the extent of the planning and the details that have been considered, drawing from the best that is available elsewhere and benefiting from their lessons learned. Our space will truly be a leading space in the provision of palliative and hospice care. We would love to come and share our plans across the community. If you are part of a club or association or perhaps have a group of friends who would be interested to know more, just reach out and we can set up a time that is convenient.

On November 21, we are excited to invite our larger Bow Valley community to see the plans and talk through what will be available when we hold a Holiday Open House. As well as seasonal activities for all ages, our team will be available to share more about our building, its construction and timelines and the supports that will be available when it is opened. Come along, join in the celebrations and find out more about this beautiful space. The event will be a drop in event at the CanMore Together space at 717 9 St #105, Canmore. Doors will open at 2pm with snacks and beverages available to welcome the whole family. More info about the Holiday Open House can be found on our website HERE