Renovations to Langley facility help it continue to serve the community

Langley Lodge has held a special place in Roy Brown’s heart for over 40 years. Brown was instrumental in getting the plans for the original building off the ground. His energy, likened by some to the force of a tornado, resulted in a 172-bed accredited facility for long-term care patients, thus freeing up acute care beds at Langley Memorial Hospital.

Thanks to the hard work of its current volunteer board of directors, Langley Lodge underwent extensive renovations and an expansion from 2007 to 2011. Construction financing for the project was provided through BC Housing’s Community Partnership Initiative.

A new wing provides 73 complex care beds for seniors while the pre-existing six-storey tower was renovated to accommodate 66 beds. New private rooms were added to each floor with wider doorways to accommodate wheelchair accessibility. Langley Lodge also boasts amenity space including social, lounge and laundry rooms as well as a kitchen, hair salon, and a dining room. These and other renovations ensure that Langley Lodge will continue to serve the needs of Langley seniors for years to come.

Brown served as the original president of the Langley Special Care Homes Society (now the Langley Care Society) and still visits the new facility. He is now a volunteer, performing live music for the residents. A photo of him hangs on a wall recalling key events in the lodge’s history. “Everyone thinks the renovations are terrific,” said Brown, who made a number of suggestions for the expansion.

Photo caption: Roy Brown (right) stands next to a photo of himself and other dignitaries at the groundbreaking for the original Langley Lodge in 1973. With him is Langley Lodge Care Society’s current president, Terry Metcalfe.