History of the IOOF

For well over 100 years, the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs have provided programs and services to care for the disadvantaged, seniors, and orphans.

The first home for seniors opened in 1898 on a 52-acre farm in Oakville. In 1910, this property was sold with a new facility opening in Toronto. In 1940, this building was secured by the federal government and used as a hospital for servicemen wounded in WWII. The Grand Lodge then purchased Simcoe Manor, the present 7-acre property in the old Allandale area of Barrie, where 35 senior residents lived in a large Tudor style home, eventually increasing to 80 beds.

Over the years, many changes and additions have been made to the Home. In 1956, there was the addition of a 44-bed infirmary wing. In 1968 an auditorium and recreational facilities were added. Between 1978 and 1984, the 80 bed facility was replaced with a modern 157 (now 164) bed Home. In 1984, it was incorporated as the I.O.O.F. Senior Citizens Homes Inc., and is now known as the IOOF Seniors Homes Inc. In 1994, a new 80 unit seniors building, Heritage Place, opened next to the long-term care Home. Heritage Place provides independent, barrier free, rent-geared-to-income rental apartments for up to 100 seniors who can benefit from available supportive housing services. Another project, completed in July 2004, is a 161 unit facility "The Terraces at Heritage Square" which is based upon the "Life-Lease" purchase option and located at our 2nd campus at Madelaine Street and Dean Avenue. Completely self-financing, these two five-storey buildings connected by a service and dining pavilion, offer accommodation and amenities to able seniors wanting independent living with some communal services. It is managed by the IOOF Seniors Homes Inc.

However, the story doesn't end here. The Home must now be completely reconstructed to meet the new provincial government design standards or face an uncertain future. Total Phase 1 construction costs to build a new 96-bed long-term care wing are today budgeted at $25 million. Together, we must raise $6 million from all sources - individuals, Lodges, businesses, service groups, foundations, governments and all other potential sources to complete Phase 1. Phase 2 will involve the renovation of the current Home building to house 66 long-term care residents. Additional funding will need to be obtained – including community support – to see the completion of this entire project.

The long-term care Home plays an increasingly important role in the community as our population continues to age. The IOOF Seniors Homes is an integral member within the extended healthcare community. More and more Residents in the Home are being admitted directly from acute care hospital beds with a complexity of needs. Continued availability of long-term care beds is important in reducing the stress on our health care system and bed availability in acute care hospitals.