Construction work is currently underway on the south corner of the Pontiac Hospital to create a glassed-in balcony space for residents of its long-term care ward.
According to regional health authority CISSSO’s media relations agent Qeren Boua, the addition was initiated in 2020 and construction began in Apr. 2025. She said that currently, the 25 long-term residents have a difficult route to get outdoors for fresh air.
“This new space aims to improve their quality of life by providing safer and more autonomous access to the outdoors. Our goal is to create a welcoming and home-like environment that goes beyond the traditional institutional setting,” she said. “Currently, opportunities for outdoor access are limited. Residents must be accompanied by staff or family members to go down to the basement and cross the staff parking lot in order to reach the gazebo. The new balcony will provide a much more accessible and secure alternative.”
Boua said that the estimated cost of the project is $1 million, and the date for completion is scheduled for mid-November of this year.
