The Town of Mundare Council released a statement on May 8th regarding the closure of the Father Filas Manor, an affordable senior housing complex located in Mundare. According to the statement, Council wished to provide some clarification about the closure, acknowledging the fact that many residents of the Town are angry and concerned over this development.
Council stated that Father Filas Manor is owned by the Province of Alberta and is operated by the Lamont County Housing Foundation, comprised of council members from Lamont County, and the towns of Andrew, Bruderheim, Chipman, Lamont, and Mundare. While it is the Province that determines whether renovations are made to the Manor and where seniors lodges may be built, it is the Housing Foundation that makes the decision with regards to the operation of the Manor.
The Housing Foundation made the decision to close Father Filas Manor on March 25th. The Town of Mundare Council was informed about the decision at the April 2nd closed door council meeting with a representative of the Foundation. Under the Municipal Government Act, information discussed in a closed door session may not be announced publicly and therefore Council could not discuss the closure of the Manor before an official announcement was made.
The Town of Mundare Council was informed that the closure of Father Filas Manor was the result of the financial realities of operating the Manor with a low occupancy rate. However, self contained units of the complex will remain open.
Council expressed its disappointment with the decision, but stated it was beyond their control.
For more information, please contact the Town of Mundare office at 780-764-3929, or send an email to info@mundare.ca.
To read the statement released by the Town of Mundare Council, please visit the Town of Mundare Facebook page.