1991 / 1992 - 1991 / 1992
The 7th annual meeting years 1991-92 saw considerable activity in terms of the fund-raising effort for Phase II. Among the activities were included the Big Band Concert held at the Grand Theatre on June 26, 1991, the 2nd Annual Dinner Dance at Laurentian University on October 26, 1991 and a benefit concert featuring Taru Valjakka from Finland at the Grand Theatre on February 8, 1992.
The ladies’ auxiliary and tenants’ association continued their impressive fund-raising activities as well. The laying of the cornerstone for Palvelukoti was celebrated on November 8, 1991.
This event was unfortunately followed by the passing away of Viljo Rinne, who had served on the Board since 1983/84. Construction proceeded as scheduled on the site and by February 27, 1992 the first tenants were able to move into the facility. At the 10th annual meeting of the Society, held at Sampo Hall on March 29, 1992, Maire Laurikainen and Anita Maki were elected as Chairperson and Secretary. The formal opening of Palvelukoti was held on May 29, 1992 with many officials and guests from the Sudbury area in attendance. A plaque and piece of nickel/copper ore donated by Inco was unveiled commemorating the opening of Phase II and the 10th anniversary of the Society. All in attendance were impressed by Palvelukoti.
The core of the project consisted of an attractive 46 unit one-storey building in a park-like setting for 60 elderly residents. The units consisted of 28 one-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedroom apartments, 4 one-bedroom apartments for the handicapped and 2 two-bedroom apartments for the handicapped. The facility also contained a two-storey administrative and multi-services seniors’ centre housing the entrance, office’s, kitchen and dining room, saunas, therapy and whirlpool and multipurpose, craft and counselling rooms.
To service the entire complex, Finlandia-Koti and Palvelukoti now required 10 full-time and 3 part-time staff. The opening of Phase II was followed by the appointment of Erkki Leinala as the Executive Director of the society. In October Palvelukoti was awarded the architectural distinction of being the best new institution in the Sudbury area for 1992 by the Sudbury and District Chamber of Commerce and the Sudbury Star. The 3rd annual fund-raising Dinner Dance was held on November 20, 1992 at which time it was proudly announced that the fund-raising goal of $1.2 million by the society had been achieved.
In retrospect, the Sudbury Finnish Rest Home Society can now look back at its first ten years with considerable pride. The idea for a multi-phased seniors’ facility, first raised in 1982, has now blossomed into an architectural and socio-cultural setting consisting of two attractive and functional complexes that has drawn admiration from many quarters. This achievement did not come easily. To bring the project to its present state involved the cooperative effort of hundreds of people dedicated to the cause of making life a little better for seniors in the Sudbury area. The story, however, does not stop here. While much has been done, there still remains the task of completing Phase III – the construction of Hoivakoti as an extended care facility to assist seniors requiring nursing assistance. The achievement of the Society in the past decade leaves little doubt that this part of the 1982 vision too will eventually become a part of the historical record.
