Seniors in St. Paul and the surrounding area are one step closer to having more local housing options after community leaders officially broke ground on the Sunnyside Manor Seniors Housing Development.

The project will add 90 new seniors housing units to the existing facility, helping meet growing demand while allowing more seniors to remain close to family, friends and the community they call home. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2028.

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together representatives from the M.D. of St. Paul Foundation, the County of St. Paul, the Town of St. Paul, project partners and community members to celebrate a milestone years in the making.

While the shovels and hard hats marked the official start of construction, speakers throughout the day focused on the people who will ultimately benefit from the expansion.

“This project is really about the seniors who will one day call Sunnyside Manor home and the families who will have the comfort of knowing their loved ones can remain close to the community they helped build,” said Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr.

Designed for the future

Once complete, the expanded Sunnyside Manor will include residential units, supportive living spaces, dining and common areas, modern amenities and outdoor green spaces designed to support seniors as they age in place.

The project comes as communities across Alberta continue to see growing demand for seniors housing and continuing care spaces.

For many local families, the expansion means seniors will have more opportunities to remain in St. Paul rather than relocating elsewhere to access housing and support services.

“Continuing care spaces are more than facilities. They are homes where seniors can age with dignity, comfort and connection,” Cyr said.

Minister Jason Nixon speaking to the crowd at the ground breaking of the Sunnyside Manor expansion, June 16, 2026.
Photo Credit: Scott Cyr

Nearly $16 million investment

The project is supported through Alberta’s Seniors Lodge Modernization Program, which committed nearly $16 million toward the modernization and expansion of Sunnyside Manor.

The development builds on recent investments in seniors housing across the Lakeland, including Cold Lake Lodge and Bonnylodge.

The expansion has long been identified as a priority by local leaders as the region’s population continues to age and demand for seniors housing grows.

Years of advocacy pay off

Several community leaders were recognized during the ceremony for helping move the project from concept to construction.

The M.D. of St. Paul Foundation Board was acknowledged for its years of planning and advocacy, including Board Chair Louis Dechaine, Vice-Chair Tim Smereka, Norm Noel, Mayor Glenn Andersen, Darrell Younghans, Maxine Fodness and Dwayne Yaremkevich.

Foundation CAO Brigitte Sakaluk and staff were also recognized for their work behind the scenes.

“Today’s ceremony was a well-deserved opportunity to celebrate the results of their hard work on behalf of seniors in our community,” Cyr said.

Former St. Paul Mayor Maureen Miller was among those attending the ceremony. Organizers noted her support and advocacy played an important role in advancing the project over the years.

Construction site of Sunnyside Manor expansion Photo Credit: Scott Cyr

Community partnership

The development is being supported through partnerships involving the M.D. of St. Paul Foundation, the County of St. Paul, the Town of St. Paul, the Government of Canada through CMHC, Colliers Project Leaders and Jen-Col Construction.

Despite rainy weather earlier in the day, skies cleared in time for the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Groundbreakings usually come with a little mud on your boots,” Cyr joked. “But when you’re breaking ground on 90 new seniors housing units, nobody seemed to mind.”

With construction now underway, community leaders say the project represents a significant investment in the future of seniors care in northeastern Alberta.

If construction remains on schedule, the first residents could move into the expanded facility in 2028, creating more opportunities for seniors to remain close to the people and communities that matter mo