“Share private moments with loved ones and just the fact that, you know, a small detail like being able to open up our, the sun room doors, and being able to roll out a hospital bed onto a private patio to be able to enjoy those, you know, those nice days as a family and still be able to support somebody who is at end of life.”
Common kitchen area at Hospice Quinte’s Stan Klemencic Care Centre. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
The centre’s namesake, Stan Klemencic passed away earlier this year.
His daughter, Barb Tofflemire tells Quinte News her father was a great supporter of hospice care.
“He recognized that, you know, it’s a journey we are all gonna take in some way, shape or form. We can’t shy away from it and so, I think he thought about that. I mean, he was 94-year-old man but he thought about the fact that we do have to deal with end of life and we want to do it in the best way we can. Our lives aren’t over when we’re ill.”
Plaque honouring Stan Klemencic in the lobby of Hospice Quinte’s Stan Klemencic Care Centre. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
She says the family wanted a legacy for their father and this one is perfect.
“To think that we can offer some of that support for other families is a real tribute to what our dad would have wanted and we’re absolutely delighted to be a part of that.”
Donor wall in the lobby of Hospice Quinte’s Stan Klemencic Care Centre. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
MacKay says they are extremely grateful to the community for its support through the Heart and Home Building Campaign.
“You know, the compassion that’s in the community, without that support and the compassion, you know, we’re not here. It’s been an integral part of what we’ve wanted to be able to accomplish and I think people will see that if they have an opportunity to visit.”
The Heart and Home Campaign has been raising money for the centre since 2019, and so far has raised 93.3% of its $9.5 million goal.
Donations will continue to be accepted through the end of the year or until they reach that goal.
While speaking at the grand opening, Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith announced the province has provided a 34% increase in annualized funding for Hospice Quinte.
That’s an extra $213,000 bringing their annual total funding from the province to $843,800.
There will be a limited number of public tours of the Stan Klemencic Care Centre between October 5 and 8.
Tour registration is available at hospicequinte.ca.
The Hospice Quinte Stan Klemencic Care Centre. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
