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Project
Open House and Official Opening events for new care centre in Red Deer, Alberta
Organization
Objective
Work closely with project partners, the David Thompson Health Region and Red Deer College, to plan and execute an Open House event and the Official Opening event to invite Red Deer citizens to see the care centre, to gain their support for the project, and to lay a positive foundation in the community for staff and volunteer recruitment, as well as fundraising initiatives.
Description
A public Open House event was planned and executed in conjunction with the project partners prior to the move-in date of residents. The event incorporated tours of the facility to provide information on Bethany’s philosophy of care and the design of the facility. The benefits of locating a long-term care centre and supportive living environment on a college campus and integrating it with classroom facilities was also highlighted. Further, the event promoted the partnership between the three members of this P3 project, one of the first in central Alberta. A media relations and advertising campaign was executed to publicize the event and encourage participation.
Following the move-in of residents into the care centre, the Official Opening was held to celebrate the completion of the project; profile the project partners, funders and donors; and invite families, residents and community members to share in the celebration.
Result
Turn out for each event was much higher than originally anticipated. At the Open House, over 600 people took organized tours of the facility with an estimated attendance of 700 to 800 people. Media coverage included print, television and radio. At the Official Opening, approximately 150 people attended, and media coverage included both print and television. Media coverage for both events was very positive and featured the key messages as outlined in the initial communication plan.