Guru Nanak Diversity Village Progresses Towards Completion

A long-term care facility named the Guru Nanak Diversity Village is rapidly taking shape in Cloverdale, British Columbia. Following a sod-turning ceremony held over a year ago, construction is progressing according to schedule. The facility aims to meet the growing needs of seniors requiring culturally sensitive care, with a projected completion date set for October 2026.

Satbir Cheema, the president and CEO of the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS), expressed enthusiasm about the facility’s development. “Every day we are getting a step closer to providing much-needed care,” he stated. The Guru Nanak Diversity Village is designed to be inclusive, offering a space where seniors from diverse backgrounds can feel a sense of belonging.

This facility is particularly focused on serving the South Asian community, incorporating cultural values, traditions, and beliefs into its operations. Cheema emphasized the importance of language, food, and cultural understanding in the care provided. “We will have a diverse staff that will be able to communicate with our residents in their own language,” he noted, highlighting a commitment to catering to the unique needs of each resident.

The decision to establish this facility arose from observing significant challenges faced by seniors who often struggle with language barriers and dietary needs in conventional care settings. Cheema recounted experiences where elderly individuals were unable to communicate their needs effectively upon admission. “They were having difficulty in communicating when they were admitted to a regular long-term care facility,” he explained.

Cheema further illustrated the cultural challenges faced by seniors with a poignant example. He described an elderly Sikh man who experienced distress after a nurse inadvertently shaved his beard to assist with eating. This interaction, lacking cultural sensitivity, had devastating consequences. “He got depressed and passed away in one week,” Cheema revealed, underscoring the necessity of understanding cultural practices in senior care.

The Guru Nanak Diversity Village will offer 125 beds in a thoughtfully designed three-storey layout, featuring a neighbourhood-style setting. Each neighbourhood will comprise between nine and 24 single-bed rooms, complete with en-suite bathrooms. Centralized communal spaces—such as a living room, dining area, kitchen, and outdoor recreational areas—aim to foster a home-like environment.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Fraser Health, and B.C. Housing, PICS has secured funding for the facility. PICS has contributed $5 million, while the government has allocated $118 million, which will be repaid through low-cost construction financing. PICS will maintain ownership and operational control of the building.

Located at 6471 175A Street, the facility is situated in a community that has embraced its significance; in 2022, 175A Street was officially designated as Guru Nanak Village Way. Cheema remains confident that the facility will significantly enhance the quality of life for seniors in the region.

For more information on the Guru Nanak Diversity Village and its ongoing developments, visit the PICS website at pics.bc.ca.