Donors, contractors and members of the community came together at the future site of the Woodland Grove Care Centre for a celebration of ground-breaking for the planned hospice.

Work on the site on Spice Hill Road has already started, with a large portion of the lot cleared for construction.

Zach Moniz, chairman of the board for Friends of Hospice, told attendees at an event on Thursday that the need for palliative care was expected to grow as the population ages and new treatments are developed.

“I came to realise the importance of palliative care and the hospice by watching my grandmother die at Agape House,” he said. “Before that day, I didn’t know palliative care and hospice care even existed.

“Witnessing the care my grandmother received from Agape House made me realise how important it is and it is something you don’t know that you need until the day you need it.

“Having a place where you can ask questions, be guided through the process while you or your loved one is receiving palliative care can be invaluable in your most vulnerable moments.”

He said the Agape House facility at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital has fulfilled its purpose and the island needed a new care centre.

“Things as simple as private rooms are important aspects of dying with dignity,” he said. “With Woodland Grove, we are building not only a hospice but a multifunctional care centre.

“The care centre will provide world-class care to those who need it, add beds to our sorely needed senior housing and provide a place of learning for those looking for a career in palliative care.”

Mr Moniz highlighted the work of partners including architectural firm Lindberg and Simmons and D&J Construction, noting that in addition to working on the project the construction company committed $250,000 towards the creation of the centre.

As part of the event, guests were invited to take a “virtual tour” of the proposed facility, with a series of stations manned by volunteers to highlight what daily life and care would be like at the facility.

Along with views from the hilltop location, the property is to include walking trails, gardening opportunities and a variety of therapy options including art, music and pet therapy, with several support animals present.

Holding a kitten, Jennifer Mahoney, the executive director of the Friends of Hospice, said the goal was to administer the type of care that empowers patients so they can live with dignity.

“This is really what Woodland Grove is about,” she said.

“I hope that being able to walk through the virtual Woodland Grove you have not just been able to see but feel how it’s going to impact the community.”

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, said the ground-breaking was a “monumental occasion” and noted that the centre would be the island’s first purpose-built centre for palliative and senior care.

She explained: “The centre will provide special care and pain management, treatment with a focus on dignity, respect and quality of life, which aligns perfectly with our ministry’s mission to support organisations that prioritise the wellbeing of persons throughout their lifespans.”

The minister added: “This much needed facility promises to empower our community to care for those in need, from all corners of our society, with efficiency and thoughtful compassion.”