Gordon Daman, Theresa Oswald and Ron Lemieux in front of the new Niverville PCH

Hundreds of people showed up to be a part of the official ribbon cutting of the new 80-bed Heritage Life Personal Care Home in Niverville Tuesday morning.

There were many dignitaries in the crowd, including Manitoba's Health Minister Theresa Oswald, Minister of Local Government Ron Lemieux and CEO of Southern Health-Saunte Sud Kathy Mcphail, who all helped cut the ribbon on the new facility.

"Everybody that was in the audience today I must believe is a generous donor, or they have a loved one who has put their hard earned money forward to help make this a reality," said the health minister. "Everybody in this crowd today, I guarantee you, is connected to someone who will be calling this place home."

The new 80-bed personal care home is the result of a close partnership between the Manitoba government, Niverville Heritage Holding Inc. and Southern Health-Sante Sud. Oswald noted that the building has been built to meet provincial standards for new facilities.

All 80 rooms offer private accommodations and bathrooms, and the facility includes a new special-care unit for residents with more aggressive behaviours often caused by dementia. The community raised the 2.5 million to build the home and now the province is providing over $5 million per year in operating funds.

"Very nice, they must have thought of everything," says Helen Neufeld, who drove out from Steinbach to catch a glimpse of the new building. "Washrooms are nice and big, and wheelchairs can go there;it's just excellent."

The new personal care home is located next to the Niverville Heritage Centre, home to a medical clinic, event centre and an assisted-living and supportive-care residence for seniors and people with disabilities. But that's not it, Gordon Daman, president of the personal care home, says their dreams for the centre aren't complete.

"We are anticipating that in 2014 we will be starting construction on 60 life lease units for adults only space," said Daman. "Suites ranging from 900 to 1400 sq/ft." Once the fifth phase is complete, which Daman says will cost between $12 and $15 million, the Niverville Heritage Centre will be a total of 212,000 sq/ft under one roof.