Hospital nestled in residential St. James in the early 1950’s.
Deer Lodge Centre has a long and proud history of caring. Our motto, “Making Lives Better” reflects this history. From 1916 when a military convalescent hospital was established for returning WWI soldiers to today, where Veterans continue being treated with a large population of community patients and residents.
Deer Lodge Centre transferred from a Veterans Affairs Canada hospital to a provincial facility in 1983. Veterans continue to have priority access to personal care beds under the Federal/Provincial agreement. Since changing from an acute general hospital to a facility caring for adult patients with complex needs, it became the largest rehabilitation and long term care facility in Manitoba, with a bed capacity of 418.
First documented account of wheelchair sports anywhere in Canada.
Deer Lodge Centre continues as an innovator in the treatment of patients, residents and clients. Rehabilitation services, outreach programs in geriatric mental health, respiratory therapy, the Day Hospital and Adult Day Care for cognitively impaired community clients address broad inpatient and community needs.
The Operational Stress Injuries Clinic, Movement Disorders Clinic, Communication Devices, PRIME, along with services for ALS patients have all been initiated in response to community need .
Through affiliation with the University of Manitoba the Centre participates in several areas of research.
The Deer Lodge Centre Foundation, established in 1991, continues to fund a growing number of research and educational activities at the Centre.
Some historical milestones:
First documented account of wheelchair sports anywhere in Canada
First dialysis machine built and operated in Western Canada
First geriatric pharmacology research Unit
First geriatric Day Hospital in Canada
Pioneer in orthopaedic surgical techniques
Timeline of Events
1857
1859
1871
1873
1882
1892
1907
1916 (May)
1916 (June)
1919
1929
1930
1934
1939
1943
1944
1945
1946
1955
1958
1983
1988
1989 (June)
1990
1991 (Mar)
1991 (May)
1991 (Dec)
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002 (Jan)
2002 (Aug)
1857
John Rowand Jr., son of a wealthy retired Chief Factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, acquires a tract of land along the Assiniboine river and builds an elegant house – “Silver Heights”.
1859
James McKay marries Margaret Rowand and builds his own elegant home “Deer Lodge” adjacent to that of his brother-in-law.
1871
The Honorable James McKay, Speaker of the House in the first Manitoba Legislature, leases the property to the Manitoba Government as a summer residence for Adams Archibald, the first Lieutenant-Governor.
1873
The property is bought by Donald A. Smith, Lord Strathcona, and becomes a centre for hospitality in the Red River Settlement.
1882
H.A. Chadwick purchases the property and renovates it as an elegant roadhouse known to Winnipegers of the day as “Chad’s Place.”
Chad’s Place officially opened
1892
Fire claims the main building which is rebuilt and re-opened as the “Deer Lodge Hotel.”
Deer Lodge Hotel
1907
Fire again destroys part of the hotel. It is rebuilt on a grand scale with financial assistance from Roderick MacKenzie, son of Sir William MacKenzie.
1916 (May)
Canada votes for Prohibition. When causalities mount from the First World War, Roderick MacKenzie offers Deer Lodge to the Military Hospital Commission.
Convalescent troops, medical and nursing staff at Deer Lodge.
1916 (June)
The Deer Lodge Military Convalescent Hospital is officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia.
The Hospital is purchased and converted to acute-care use by the Department of Soldiers Civil Re-Establishment.
Capacity is reduced to 75 beds.
1929
The Department of Pensions and National Health adds 75 beds.
1930
The facility is expanded by one hundred beds.
Capacity remains at 250 beds until the start of World War II.
1934
A three-storey extension is added to house the Central Registry, Prosthetic Services and the Pension Commission.
1939
World War II – Two “temporary” wooden buildings are constructed to care for the wounded repatriated from Europe.
Capacity increases to 550 beds.
1943
A fire-resistant wing is added for laboratory services, operating rooms and expanded dental services.
1944
The Department of Veterans Affairs builds twin three-storey active treatment units with a total capacity of 300 beds (North and South Pavilions).
1945
A new kitchen and powerhouse are added.
1946
Facility capacity is severely taxed with over 1100 wounded patients.
1955
The “temporary” wooden buildings are demolished to allow construction of a new, eight-storey hospital.
1958
The opening of the new “Lodge” building brings the total beds to 640.
From 1958 to 1983, the focus of the hospital changes as there is less need for acute care veterans’ services.
As the veterans age, the need for geriatric services and programs is identified.
1983
Following prolonged negotiations with the Federal Government, the Deer Lodge Hospital is finally transferred to the Province of Manitoba. $30 million is provided to finance renovations and new construction. As part of the agreement, 155 personal care beds are reserved for veterans.
A 9′ x 18′ dynamic mural collage of sketches of personalities and events through the years (by local artist John Tutura).
1988
Residents are moved into the newly completed 200 bed Personal Care Tower.
Beautifully designed and manicured grounds provide a wonderful summer haven to relax and enjoy the sun.
1989 (June)
The total reconstruction and renovation program is completed. The new complex of 406 beds is officially opened by the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba, the Honorable George Johnson. The focus of the Centre changes to encourage specialized outreach programming to maintain the elderly in the community and to create an empowering, holistic care environment for those who come for temporary or long term care.
His Honour Dr. George Johnson, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba lays cornerstone during Grand Opening Ceremony of the new Tower Building.
1990
A twelve bed Psychogeriatric unit opens, focusing on assessment and treatment of individuals with mental health problems.
The Minister of Health, the Honorable Don Orchard announces the opening of 90 beds in the Lodge Building and 60 interim Personal Care beds in the South Pavilion.
The 90 beds incorporate an expansion of the Centre’s Respiratory program, a doubling of Assessment and Rehabilitation beds and a new unit for the severely brain injured.
With this announcement, Deer Lodge Centre becomes Manitoba’s major facility for Geriatric Rehabilitation.
1991 (Mar)
The Deer Lodge Foundation for Geriatrics is formally constituted.
1991 (May)
A 23 bed Neurosupportive unit opens, providing care to individuals who have sustained severe neurological impairment.
This brings the total bed status to 417.
1991 (Dec)
The Tower Building is renamed the “John Osbourne VC Tower” in honor of the World War II heroes.
1992
The J. W. Crane Memorial Library of Gerontology and Geriatrics officially opens.
The library is Canada’s largest and best known special library on aging.
1993
With the opening of 44 beds on 6 West and 6 East, the Centre’s rated bed capacity is 461.
The new beds include the TACT program (Temporary Acute Care Treatment), providing short-term medical intervention to elderly individuals whose needs exceed the care available in personal care homes.
The Communication & Environmental Systems Library (CESL) is fully operational.
The library leases equipment to individuals with difficulties talking and/or accessing controls in their environment such as turning on the TV or lights.
1994
Two new programs started: Peritoneal Dialysis and Chronic Care Respite.
1995
The Collaborative Research Centre opens, focusing on the practical impact of treatment, care-giving methods and life enrichment.
The Courtyard in autumn offers a soothing retreat for residents, families, visitors and staff.
1996
Anderson House Prosthetics and Orthotics relocates to Deer Lodge Centre.
1997
Deer Lodge Centre is now part of the Winnipeg Hospital Authority (WHA) and the Winnipeg Community Authority (WCA).
1998
Deer Lodge Clinical Oxygen Services was created, allowing us to share our expertise in providing state of the art portable liquid oxygen systems to other WRHA facilities in a cost effective manner.
36 more personal care beds were opened on Lodge 7, making a total bed capacity of 497.
1999
WHA and WCA merge to form the WRHA (Winnipeg Regional Health Authority).
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, visits Deer Lodge Centre during the Pan Am Games.
2000
Program management unfolds with the Assessment & Rehabilitation program.
2001
The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada visits Deer Lodge Centre.
Denise Koss, DLC Board Chair, welcomes the Governor General of Canada.
2002 (Jan)
The Life and Learning Centre opens, housing a Learning Resource Centre and a large Worship Centre.
This new 10,000 square foot facility was built in response to a growing demand for education services, spiritual growth and an increasing awareness of our services to the community.
2002 (Aug)
Deer Lodge Centre merges operations with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
The Board of Directors of the Centre devolves and the WRHA Board of Directors takes over the Governance of the Centre.
Deer Lodge Centre becomes an Operating Division of the Region.
