Niwaas Long-Term Care (Niwaas LTC), Ontario’s first Sikh-Punjabi focused long-term care home, has officially broken ground on its 160-bed facility, marking a significant milestone in providing culturally tailored senior care. Located at 380 Fernforest Drive in Brampton, this new home will offer compassionate, community-centered care while preserving Sikh-Punjabi traditions and values.
The groundbreaking celebrations began on Saturday, February 15, with an Akhand Path Bhog, a Sikh prayer ceremony, held at Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Centre Brampton. This sacred service expressed gratitude for Waheguru’s blessings and sought divine support for the successful completion of the project. The event was attended by community members (Sangat), project volunteers, members of the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, the Niwaas Foundation, and the Niwaas LTC Board of Directors. Local MPs, MPPs, and Brampton City Councilors also joined the gathering to commemorate this historic occasion.
The project has received substantial support from both municipal and provincial governments. The City of Brampton has waived nearly $2 million in development charges, while the Government of Ontario has contributed over $12 million toward the facility’s construction.
On Sunday, February 16, the Niwaas LTC Board of Directors hosted a private groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of the facility. The event brought together representatives from Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Centre Brampton, the Niwaas LTC project team, volunteers, and key stakeholders, including Stingray Architects Inc. and Maystar General Contractors.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Anand Sahib, followed by Ardas, a Sikh prayer for guidance and success. In a deeply symbolic moment, the Panj Pyare—representing the five beloved ones in Sikh tradition—led the groundbreaking, placing the first shovels into the ground to signify the start of construction.
This groundbreaking marks a crucial step in delivering culturally appropriate, compassionate long-term care to Ontario’s Sikh-Punjabi community.
“Today is a monumental step on our journey to opening Ontario’s first Sikh-Punjabi long-term care home,” said Harkirat Singh, Chair of Niwaas Foundation and Deputy Mayor of Brampton. “Niwaas LTC is committed to excellence in elder care by ensuring that residents receive high-quality services tailored to their religious and cultural needs.”
