Simcoe Manor tear-down pushed back to 2027, but costs still on budget
Posted February 10, 2026
A myriad of issues including updated regulations for long term care homes, and weather, have pushed back opening of the reconstructed Simcoe Manor portion of the multi-faceted Simcoe Village campus, to early 2027. The best case scenario had been moving residents over to the new building, late 2026.
Despite the delays, the Simcoe Village construction remains on budget at $353M as the current overage projection of $12.85M or 3.6% does not exceed the purchasing policy overage allowance of 5% or $17M.
The news comes out of the project update being provided to Simcoe County councillors, this morning. It points to a schedule reassessment in January which identified several risks, including the new MLTC inspection and approval requirements.
"The introduction of the Integrated System Testing (IST) certification—verifying that all life safety systems (fire alarm signals, sprinklers, elevators, maglocks, HVAC, and nurse call systems) operate together in the event of an alarm—was expected to extend the overall timeline," according to a 13 page report. "Additional pre-move-in activities under County responsibility, such as furniture and equipment deliveries, IT installations, wayfinding signage, staff familiarization tours, staff training, and vendor orientation, were also reviewed. These activities were originally planned to begin after Melloul-Blamey had fully completed work."
In the meantime, council was told the process of preparing the tender for demolition of the existing Manor and Village, as well as site restoration to a future green field and the Town’s Municipal Park along the western border of the site, is underway with demolition of the current building, in 2027.
Simcoe Manor's roots go back 1898, located on the site of the original House of Refuge. In 1973, the facility was expanded to acccommodate 158 residents including semi-private rooms with adjoining washrooms. The last expansion was in the 1992-94 with the addition of private rooms with ensuite washrooms.
The new project provides an additional 34 long-term care beds (a total of 160 beds), and more than 180 seniors housing units/homes (140+ new) for seniors with varying levels of care and support needs.
"A designated substance survey has been completed and will be included in the tender package. Currently, no projected overage amounts are identified for this component of the project, and the demolition is planned for mid 2027, whereupon the internal north south roadway will be completed."
