During St. Mary's Gardens construction, a time capsule from the former hospital was uncovered.
For the fifth anniversary of the Autumnwood Mature Lifestyle Communities facility in Timmins, residents and staff put together a new keepsake.
Before the new items were packed into the small metal box that the original memorabilia was found in, they were displayed in the residence's lobby. There were photographs of residents, a letter from a resident the operations manager, newspaper clippings, and items that reflect what's currently happening at the facility.
When the original time capsule was found, Dawna Carrier said it was 87 years old and had items such as newspaper clippings and medallions from the nuns.
While St. Mary's Gardens is a busy facility on Pine Street North offering care for older adults today, it started as a hospital.
In 1923 Providence Hospital was built on the site. St. Mary's Nursing School was founded in 1926 and ran out of the hospital until 1970. The hospital was renamed St. Mary's in 1927 and operated on the site until 1993.
Autumnwood's involvement started in 2009 when it bought the building, and in 2010 tenants started to move into St. Mary's Gardens apartments.
It fully opened in 2014 when residents began moving into the full-service suites in June of that year.
“We’ve built this incredible residence, but it’s the staff, residents and tenants that make it a community and a place to call home,” said Julie Aubé, retirement operations director, in a news release. “There’s something nostalgic about this place. We have seniors living here that were born in this very building.”
This week, a celebration featuring the Timmins All Star Big Band helped mark the anniversary.
While this one was special, Carrier explained they regularly have events.
“We try to have two to three special events every month where we invite seniors from the community as well as our own residents,” she said.
There is a monthly speakers’ series featuring staff from the Porcupine Health Unit or Timmins and District Hospital, or a financial planner.
She said there is also a fun activity like a paint night or card tournament, as well as one big blow-out event every month.
June was the semi-formal anniversary celebration that saw two St. Mary’s ambassadors crowned, and residents recognized for helping enhance the lifestyle.
Other bigger events they hold include a car show in the summer, and a Christmas craft sale.
St. Mary’s Gardens offers full-service suites.
“It’s almost like living at a resort, like an all-inclusive,” said Carrier.
“We do your cleaning, we do your cooking, we do med administration, we have activity programs, we have activities every day.”
There are also independent living apartments.
On that side, Carrier said they live more like tenants, but they still have access to all the activities.
“The biggest appeal for most people that live here is the 24-hour emergency call service because we do have nurses and PSWs 24 hours a day and so there’s always access to help,” she said.
Find out more about St. Mary's Gardens here.
