By Peter Gay
A local businessman plans to open in Centretown what he calls Canada’s first retirement home for gays and lesbians.
George Hartsgrove, who owns and operates the Rideau View Inn on Frank Street, hopes to transform the bed and breakfast into a retirement home by mid-summer.
“In North America there are very few projects of its kind,” says Hartsgrove. “I’m very excited.”
Hartsgrove says the project is important because more gay people grow older and there are fewer resources available to them.
“Elderly gay people may not have extended family to take care of them, and other homes may not address specific needs or provide services to the aging (gay and lesbian) community,” says Harts-grove.
The home would offer seven residents three meals a day and a live-in housekeeper, at a cost of $1,700 a month. There wouldn’t be a nurse at available at the retirement home.
“I’ve received absolutely incredible reactions,” says Hartsgrove.
“I’ve had phone calls from people who live in Windsor, tons of letters, e-mails and visits.”
In order to transform the Rideau View Inn into a retirement home, Hartsgrove needs $50,000.
He says he has already spoken with potential investors.
Somerset regional Coun. Diane Holmes says if Hartsgrove can meet all the bylaw requirements, the idea is a good one.
“In Toronto there are many different cultures that have different needs and interests that have their own retirement homes,” says Holmes. “If there is a desire for gays and lesbians (to have their own retirement home) and if there is a market, then it should be allowed.”
Holmes says the need for retirement homes will increase as the age of the population increases, especially in Centretown.
Cecil Turcotte, chair of the Pride Committee of Ottawa-Carleton, says there are other reasons gays have not had their own retirement facilities.
“Until recently the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered) community has been discriminated against,” says Turcotte.
“Society wouldn’t have allowed it.”
He says the retirement home has been a long time coming, but he’s sure it will be a success.
“It’s a good concept because there are thousands of GLBT people living in Ottawa-Carleton and some are over 65,” says Turcotte.
Hartsgrove hopes to continue the momentum of positive support he has received from the community.
“I have received all positive responses, not one negative, from this community,” he says.