Our History

Early in the 1970s, several of the original homesteaders in the Crooked Creek area were getting older. With no senior’s facility in the immediate vicinity, there was a desire for some way to accommodate the needs of the aging. This led to many discussions. A committee was formed to investigate the possibility of building a home of some kind. What would be all the requirements and the feasibility for such a project?

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In February of 1974, a meeting was held in the Rosedale Church where the committee presented their findings. A building board was set out. This board began drawing up plans, getting approval from Government Ministries, contacting the Hospital Board in Grande Prairie. The initial intention was for this facility to be a Nursing Home. It soon became apparent that approval for a nursing home would be difficult to get. Plans were changed to pursue the necessary approval for a Senior Citizens Home. The Hospital Commission in Edmonton favored this approach with the thought that, if nursing needs would arise later, they could be considered at that time if the building was built with those possibilities in mind.

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By the end of 1974, the plans for the structure were in the final stages of completion and application had been made for approval from the different authorities. Costs were being compiled with preparations being made for actual construction to begin in early spring. The different trades were contacted, and the work allocated to the respective firms. Lumber supplies were confirmed, windows and doors were decided on and tentative orders placed. Cement and insulation were ordered. The beginning of April 1975 saw the start of dirt work and the digging of the basement.

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Throughout the summer, construction continued with special efforts by groups of volunteers who worked a week or so at a time. These groups came from Heart Valley and Silver Valley helping the local men. The plan was for each man in the community to put in at least 50 hours. By the end of July, an Administration Board was elected and the final finishing in the home was being done. Plans were to try to have the Ridgevalley Home ready for occupancy by the middle of December 1975. The name chosen for this facility was Ridgevalley Home. The Ridgevalley Home Board established the functioning of the Home on a five-day week, eight-hour day basis for the care staff. There was one worker on duty per eight-hour shift and she did the cooking and cleaning as well as any care the residents needed.

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In 1981 some “self-care units” were added to the Home. The east units were opened in ​March of 1984. In 1989, more units were needed so a wing extending to the west was planned.

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In December of 1991 this wing was ready to move in. As the residents needed more care, it seemed only right that they would be able to stay in this area rather than having to relocate to an unfamiliar place at that stage of their lives. By the end of 1998, all levels of care were available at Ridgevalley Home.

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The Home Care Program, established in recent years to assist the elderly and others to stay at home in their own surroundings for as long as possible, has been a great help. The assistance of the local Home Care department has always been much appreciated. The resident’s respective physicians have also been very helpful, and the excellent ambulance service has been much appreciated.