Villa Neguac officially sold to nurse from Acadian Peninsula

A special care home in Neguac, NB officially has a new owner, saving it from impending closure.

Marc-André Vienneau, a nurse from the Acadian Peninsula, bought Villa Neguac and officially took over the home on Wednesday.

“It is certain that the call or the need of the Neguac village and the people has challenged me,” Vienneau told Radio-Canada.

“It’s close to my heart and I was already interested in acquiring a nursing home and that’s where Villa Neguac made it a reality.”

According to Radio-Canada, Vienneau is the son of a Caraquet shrimp fisherman.

He currently works as the Director of Nursing at Résidences Inkerman Inc., a nursing home in Inkerman, NB

Villa Neguac was scheduled to close on February 17, along with the nearby Foyer St. Bernard, after the Department for Social Development revoked operating permits for the two houses in January.

Social Development Secretary Dorothy Shephard said the homes’ licenses had been revoked to protect the well-being of the 29 residents who live in the homes.

With the revocation of the licenses, residents had to vacate their homes by February 17.

With his purchase of Villa Neguac, Vienneau said residents no longer need to move.

“[The purchase] went very quickly,” said Viennaau.

“There was a lot of mechanics behind this to ensure we didn’t have to move residents while the transaction was finalizing. As with any real estate transaction, this does not happen overnight.”

Villa Neguac was previously owned by Amarjeet Singh Jatana who also owns Foyer St. Bernard.

On Wednesday, Neguac Mayor Georges Savoie said there was still no buyer willing to take over Foyer St. Bernard and while it is yet to close there should be enough space for residents to move into Villa Neguac to pull.

The Department for Social Development declined to comment Thursday on a change of ownership or new operating licenses given to either care home.

residents, families happy

Léo Savoie, like other residents of Villa Neguac, has been going through the full range of emotions since the home’s closure was announced.

With the latest news, he’s glad he doesn’t have to go anymore.

“It’s the best place there is,” Savoie said. “We are all friends. It’s like family. I can’t ask for anything better.”

Sylvette Rousselle also celebrated the continued operation of the home with her two relatives who live there.

“I’ll pick her up to take a little ride in the car,” Rousselle said. “We’ll leave the foyer for a while. Maybe we’ll see the Neguac elephant.”