Given the history of Olive Devaud Residence, it’s fitting that the community will fund a replacement facility. The existing facility was originally built as a senior citizens’ home on land donated by Olive Devaud, one of Powell River’s most philanthropic residents. A nurse who was born in England, Devaud came to Powell River in 1926, where she worked with Dr. Charles Marlatt. In 1934, she married Alphonse Devaud and during the 20 years of their marriage, the couple gave nearly all they possessed to Powell River. Among their many gifts was a 10-acre section of land in Westview for a hospital. However, the hospital was eventually built on land overlooking the mill.
After her husband died, Devaud was persuaded to subdivide the land, but the proceeds went to the hospital. Six acres of the property went to Powell River Sunset Homes Society for senior citizens for $1. Devaud also contributed $6,000 toward the building.
The building was never designed to meet the complex needs of today’s residential care clients. Its inadequacies, along with concerns about patient and staff safety, have been well documented over a decade as community leaders have lobbied the provincial government and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to fund a replacement facility.
Recently, it became clear that capital funds were not to be had. That’s when Powell River Regional Hospital District officials started exploring the possibility of funding a new facility from its requisition. Because the debt for the Powell River General Hospital had started to reach an end, officials were able to devise a plan to borrow the $24 million in capital without increasing taxes. Since VCH agreed to lease the building, those payments would defray the cost of borrowing. A healthy reserve means planning and design can move forward quickly.
The end result is the community will have a much-needed new facility and property owners will see an estimated 40-per-cent decrease in regional hospital district taxes. Both elected and non-elected officials can be proud of this creative and bold solution that carries on the tradition of the community caring for those in need.
