A Bold Vision Comes Full Circle: More Than a Place to Live
By Concordia Connection Staff Writer
On May 15, 2024, Concordia Wellness Projects Inc. (CWPI) celebrated twenty years of service to the community with a gathering of stakeholders, residents and friends and a book launch that tells a compelling history of Concordia Wellness Projects Inc. and Concordia Village.
To commemorate the 20th Anniversary, CWPI published a history book titled ‘More Than a Place to Live, ‘ commissioned by Neil Janzen.
As the book title suggests, Concordia campus is not just a place to live but a place to thrive. It is a unique community where Concordia Village residents experience authentic community and gracious hospitality.
This insightful piece, written by founding board member and local author Neil Janzen, delves into Concordia Wellness Projects’ journey, its impact on the community, and the stories of the people who have been part of this remarkable journey.
Concordia Wellness Projects (CWPI) began with a bold vision from the founding board to fill a growing need to care for older adults in our community.
“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we can proudly say that we have not only met this need but have significantly improved the quality of life for our residents and the broader community, ” said CEO Darren Klassen, a testament to the positive impact we’ve had on our community.
From the construction of Concordia Villages I, II and III to the ongoing development of Concordia Village V, our growth and achievements over the years inspire hope for the future of our community.
The anniversary book captures the essence of CWPI as reflected in its purpose: “Honouring Concordia’s Mennonite Heritage and Christian faith foundation, we offer healing and hope, serving the whole person and the whole community with a spirit of compassion and grace.”
As the book title suggests, the Concordia campus is not just a place to live. It is a unique community where residents of Concordia Village experience authentic community and gracious hospitality. They are surrounded by compassion, respect, and grace.
The campus also provides a state-of-the-art research lab and office for our surgeons, who have access to cutting-edge arthroplasty research at the Concordia Hip and Knee Institute building.
It is where those battling illnesses and health challenges receive care, support, and rest, making it more than just a typical residential facility.
It Takes A Village And a Bold Vision To Make An Impact
The story is about Concordia Wellness Projects Inc.’s beginning. It demonstrates how a few people with vision, shaped by a commitment to giving practical expression to their Christian faith, have provided a model for residential housing and healthcare services.
CWPI continues to provide a place for people to live independently while accessing needed support services. This story highlights vision, risk-taking, initiative, values, creativity, generosity, partnership, inspiration, community, competence, commitment, and faith in the Mennonite tradition.
The translation of a vision into “more than a place to live” now defines CWPI, the parent organization, its offspring, Concordia Village and other healthcare facilities on CWPI’s campus.
The development has been remarkable. It began without cash-in-hand, with land that needed to be acquired and an absent viable corporate structure that needed to be present.
Subsequently, Concordia Villages’ assisted living, I, II, and III emerged and expanded to include Eden Health Services and Concordia Village IV, subsidized and affordable housing and residential housing with support services for mental health and addictions. CV5, a mixed-use development, broke ground in the summer of 2024 and will open in late 2026.
Growth and Partnership
The Concordia Hip & Knee Institute is a hub of innovation for arthroplasty research in the burgeoning joint replacement program. Concordia Health Associates, a primary health clinic, and Shoppers Drug Mart were established on the CWPI campus to support the community. As of August 2023, construction of Concordia Village V, a 175-unit assisted living complex, is currently underway.
Altogether, these projects and services represent a fantastic achievement, made possible by our partners’ invaluable contributions and our community’s unwavering support.
Each partner, from Concordia Hospital to Concordia Foundation, Eden Health Care Services to Manitoba Housing, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to Concord Projects Ltd., played a crucial role in CWPI’s vision. We deeply appreciate their invaluable contributions to our shared goal of community wellness.
Early Seeds Sown
The CWPI story began in 2004, but its seed was sown in 1928 when the first
“Concordia Hospital” was founded on Machray Avenue in West Kildonan.
This was the first step in the legacy of caring, followed by a string of wellness initiatives. The healthcare needs in 1928, as in 2004, were prominent and easily defined; the emerging vision was inspiring and practical.
The daily preparation of meals was noted as a significant barrier to healthy and independent living for older adults. The founding group imagined an approach to eldercare that enabled ongoing independence while providing a meal service. However, such a service needed to be a wellness initiative that was driven by the faith orientation of the Concordia Hospital board and its supporting community.
The location and available land for the new ‘village’ were identified. Still, at the time, the hospital needed funds or a mandate to purchase the land across the street.
The founding members approached philanthropist and developer Martin Bergen and his daughter Miriam Bergen, which resulted in a donation of $450,000 for the land. Other key players included Ted Paetkau, president of Concord Projects Ltd. The Concord Projects Development Group included architect Ray Wan, developer/planner Wade Kastes and representatives from the Concordia Hospital board.
Concordia Wellness Projects Inc. acknowledges Martin Bergen’s tremendous contribution and vision with deep gratitude. His financial primer provided a home for residents in the four Villages on the CWPI campus. It also enabled many individuals requiring joint replacement surgery to benefit from the arthroplasty program and research emanating from the Hip & Knee Institute building.
A copy of “More Than A Place To Live” is available for more information. This book fully outlines the history and timelines of development and related stories from and about residents and their experiences living in this unique community. Call them at 204-667-6479.
