Today, I met the most incredible lady, ‘Captain’ Joan, receptionist extraordinaire of the Maurice J. Grimes Lodge.
I first approached the ‘Lodge’ with some trepidation last Thursday, the 26th of March, 2015. I really wanted to document the Lodge for any of those future patients of the Ottawa Hospital who might find it a welcome repose in their recovery journey.
But, I was apprehensive that it might not come to be.
A ridiculous notion as I soon found out!
Joan was at the helm at her receptionist desk when I arrived, and she greeted me with the warmest welcome you could imagine. I explained what I was up to – hoping she wouldn’t ring the alarm at this ‘salesman-looking’ gent coming up to her station.
“Well, no problem – come and see and take photos if you like – but, I have to warn you that they will all be obsolete very soon.” – she bellowed with excitement!
It turns out that there is a massive upgrade underway of much of the Lodge, it’s rooms, bathroom fixtures, kitchen and …
… things that no doubt Joan knows very well and is so happy to see upgraded for her patients’ sake.
So, didn’t I get the ‘royal’ tour – bedrooms, bathrooms, solarium, pool table, kitchen, refrigerators, utensil drawer, dry food cupboard, TV room, lounges – even the ‘puzzle’ room – all fantastic facilities even in their current state.
Imagine what’s coming!
So, here are pictures (coming in a bit) of the soon to be obsolete facilities at the Maurice J. Grimes Lodge.
I’ll explain a little of the history of the Lodge and more about who can use it in the coming days.
