Pioneer Manor celebrates 60 years of 'service and care'

Sudbury's Pioneer Manor is celebrating a milestone.

The city-run nursing home opened its doors 60 years ago and has provided care to several generations of some families over the years.

“I think we are celebrating 60 years of providing service and care to the community,” director Tony Parmar said. “Sixty years of being an institution in the city in terms of healthcare.”

Hopefully it's just a start and there is another 60 years ahead of us.- director Tony Parmar

With 433 residents, Pioneer Manor is one of the largest nursing homes in the province.

“The current residents today, their grandparents or parents were once residents here themselves,” Parmar added.

“So it has played a significant role, I think, in 60 years of operations.”

The manor has faced challenges, including a fire in 2006 that broke out in one wing of the building.

A waiting list hundreds of names long adds to the pressure of providing nursing care to those in need.

Cost overruns in recent years have prompted some to question whether the city should be in the nursing home business at all.

Parmar said that's a decision that is in the hands of politicians.

But for today, Parmar said the focus will be on celebrating the manor's history with staff and its 433 residents.

“Hopefully it's just a start and there is another 60 years ahead of us,” he said.