Diavik Diamond Mines to Fund NWT Dementia Facility

Diavik Diamond Mines, partial owner of the Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories (NWT), is partnering in a local community project to support construction of the new Territorial Dementia Facility in Yellowknife, NWT.

The 28-bed facility will be open to all NWT residents and will allow them to transfer from long-term care facilities to one that has been specifically designed to treat those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It will be operated by the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors (YACCS).

Under the community-driven partnership, Nahanni Construction Ltd. of Yellowknife will construct the facility. Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. will manage construction and provide financial management. The NWT Government will finance 100 percent of the construction, estimated at $15 million. Completion of the facility is scheduled for late summer or early fall of 2009.

“At Diavik, we feel very strongly about contributing back to the community and in helping support healthy lifestyles,” said Diavik President Kim Truter. “The Territorial Dementia Centre is a much needed facility that will provide specialized care to people living with dementia, and will significantly lessen family stress by supporting affected family members closer to home.”

In a parallel effort, YACCS is raising money to help furnish the facility and to construct a commercial kitchen to service it and the adjoining Aven Manor. Yellowknife residents Mickey Brown and Sandy Wowk are leading the fund raising effort, and Diavik has pledged an additional $50,000 for this parallel initiative.

Diavik is an unincorporated joint venture between Diavik Diamond Mines (60 percent), a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc, and Harry Winston Diamond Mines Ltd (40 percent), wholly owned by Harry Winston Diamond Corporation.