Northumberland County is responsible for Social Services in the County and this includes Long Term Care Homes. The home operated by the County is the Golden Plough located on County property at the northwest corner of Elgin and Burnham but it has reached end of life and does not meet current standards. Since renovating it to meet current requirements would be more expensive, even if it were possible, the County has embarked on a rebuild with a budget of $80M (see revision below in October 2024 update). 
At 200,000 sq. ft., the new building will be double the size of the current lodge and will include 6000 sq. ft. devoted to an archive/museum facility which will relocate from their current space at the Library. When the new building is complete, the current building will be demolished since it would be too expensive to re-purpose the building for (e.g.) low-cost housing.
The new building will have 180 beds compared to 151 currently. Each unit will have a window to open space – some into interior courtyards.
There is an overview of the project at this Cobourg News Post
The Archives are included because the County has expanded its mandate for archives to include the entire County (not just Cobourg) and has outgrown the space at the Library. The new facility will include “display and exhibition space to showcase a diverse range of County stories”.
Progress report on the Golden Plough Lodge Redevelopment – 4 December 2024
The redevelopment of the GPL/NCAM continues to bring us closer to the vision of a modern, welcoming home for residents and an up-to-date workspace for staff. Outside, transformation is well underway. Asphalt and curbs are being constructed in front of the building, and private access roads are taking shape around the site. Inside, the progress is advancing on Level 3, with finishes such as paint, wall protection, and handrails in the bedrooms and corridors. Resident rooms are coming together with flooring, cabinets, and washroom vanities being installed. Work will progress floor by floor, moving from Level 3 to 2, then to Level 1.
In the basement, critical spaces for staff, including kitchens, change rooms, and offices, are also taking form. We've achieved a significant milestone with permanent power now connected to the site, and we're working to have gas service in early 2025. Water and sewer systems are already in place, and elevator installation is scheduled to begin in the new year.
Revised Schedule
The occupancy date is set for June 24, 2025 but there is a possibility of a 2 week delay.
- Residents move in – Fall 2025
- NCAM collection relocated from C. Gordon King Centre - Summer 2025
- Demolition of existing GPL – Fall 2026
- Completion of site campus – Fall 2026
Revised Budget
This budget adjustment incorporates additional funds for contractor and subcontractor work, project administration and design changes, as well as elevated interest rates on financing, for a revised total project budget of $145 million, up from $115 million. The County will fund these increases through a financing arrangement with Infrastructure Ontario as well as a draw from reserves.
Staff will provide a report on the breakdown of this costing at the December meeting of the Public Works Committee, following a 60-day period requested by the contractor due to commercial sensitivity.
More Information on New Facility
Preparing for the Future: Transition Planning
Transitioning to the new GPL/NCAM is no small task. Assisting with this monumental effort is Andrew MacCuaig, RN-RPN, a long-time and well-respected staff member at GPL, who has taken on the critical role of Transition Lead. For months, Andrew has been working with the team to prepare the plans and staff for this pivotal move into the new facility.
Andrew and the team have been finalizing a detailed occupancy plan, which must be submitted to the Ministry of Health for approval in February (2025). "This process is about more than just meeting requirements; it's about building a framework for success," Andrew explains. From updated policies and procedures to advanced evacuation and emergency management plans, the team is adapting every aspect of operations to align with the new facility's design and technology.
"We have everything in place in the current building, but the new home is vastly different," Andrew says. "It's like reassembling an entire organization in a new environment - and we're breaking it into manageable steps to make it happen."
Before residents can move in, GPL will undergo a three-month transition phase along with Ministry inspections. This period will include staff training on the new equipment, policies and procedures. As well, a specialized healthcare relocation firm has been hired to assist the planning needed for the handling of the logistics of the physical move.
"This isn't just a move; it's a transformation," Andrew adds. "Every detail, from resident comfort to technology integration, must be carefully planned."
The move to the new Golden Plough Lodge will represent a significant milestone for Northumberland County. As the team continues to prepare for the transition, the focus remains on delivering excellence in long-term care.
State-of-the-Art Technology will Enhance Life
One exciting aspect of the new GPL/NCAM is the integration of state-of-the-art technology to improve operations, enhance communication, and enrich the resident and staff experience.
Seamless Communication for Residents and Staff
The new facility will feature advanced telecommunications systems, including phones in every resident room, offering the convenience of hotel-like setups. Residents will be able to bring their personal phone numbers for a truly personalized experience. Staff will benefit from a modern phone system independent of the County's main network, complete with voicemail management and extension-based dialing for effortless communication.
Integrated Nurse Call System
The centralized nurse call system will streamline emergency response, paging, and alarms with varying code levels. Wireless handsets will allow nurses to stay connected and accessible, ensuring prompt and efficient care.
Enhanced Connectivity
Residents will enjoy strong wireless internet throughout the building, to stay connected with loved ones, streaming entertainment, or pursuing online hobbies.
Safety and Security
A video surveillance system and integrated alarm systems will provide additional safety measures for residents, staff, and visitors.
These technological advancements are designed to create a supportive, secure, and comfortable environment that enhances quality of life for everyone at the new GPL/NCAM.
October 2024 Update by Video
Video of announcement. Note: On phones, video works best if you select "Watch on You-Tube."
See County Web site page here.
Note re Northumberland County Archives and Museum (NCAM)
Preserving our past and preparing for our future
With over 400,000 archival materials and more than 600 artifacts, preserving and storing the past while ensuring space for future growth is an important consideration for the new NCAM.
"To meet our current requirements as well as our future needs, we had to seek out expert advice to develop a specialized storage system", commented Abigail Miller, NCAM Archivist. "We needed a storage system that would meet a high, curatorial standard."
Working with SpaceSaver Solutions, who are specialists in the field of archival storage, a system was designed to prioritize the needs of the artifacts and provide an enhanced experience for visitors. Special features include:
- Storage cabinets with visible shelving for display and secure behind-the-scenes showcasing;
- Oversized tray drawers for storing large plans and maps;
- Mobile racks for safely storing and displaying framed artwork and photographs; and
- Oversized shelves for storing and displaying large artefacts.
The storage units are moveable to maximize space and have a sophisticated drive system for smooth, balanced movement to prevent shifting or damage to fragile artifacts. This state-of-the-art system, installed in a secure, climate-controlled environment, will help NCAM to work to achieve a Category A Curatorial standard designation, which will enable staff to acquire and borrow cultural property of outstanding significance and national importance to Canada.
The current archive collection will be carefully relocated to the new facility's collection storage room in 2024. Once the items are safely stored, the remaining available space will still provide over 40 per cent new storage space for future growth.
"With over 50 thousand linear feet of storage we plan to be able to continue collecting for another 15-20 years," explained Miller. The specialized shelving unit will be funded with the generous support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.
Simulation of Final Building
This is a virtual tour video which explores the concept design for the Golden Plough Lodge long-term care home portion of this project – that is, it does not include the Archive.