Town of Tecumseh and Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County Propose Dementia-Friendly Development Partnership

For Immediate Release
Wednesday June 10, 2026

Tecumseh, ON –The Town of Tecumseh and the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County (ASWE) are pleased to announce a proposed partnership (in principle) to develop a new, purpose-built headquarters and dementia-friendly facility for the ASWE on Town lands to the immediate north of the Tecumseh Arena.

The proposal includes the construction of an approximately 20,000 square foot, two-storey building, along with an adjacent therapeutic garden designed to support individuals living with dementia and their care partners.  This innovative project is intended to enhance access to critical programs and services for the Windsor-Essex area while advancing the Town’s commitment to community health, inclusion, and collaboration with regional partners. The proposed facility reflects a growing need for dementia-related supports in Windsor-Essex County as the number of individuals living with dementia is increasing and is projected to continue rising in the years ahead.

Through this proposed partnership, ASWE would fund the construction and operate the facility on Town-owned land under a long-term lease agreement, while providing the Town with access to a significant portion of the space during evenings and weekends, helping expand local recreation programming opportunities for residents.

“As demand for dementia care programs and services continues to grow, this opportunity represents an exciting step toward creating a welcoming, dementia-friendly, age-friendly, and accessible space that will serve individuals living with dementia, their care partners, and our broader community for generations to come” said Sally Bennett Olczak, CEO of ASWE. “We are grateful to the Town of Tecumseh for their collaboration and shared commitment to strengthening community supports throughout our region.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, donors, and the entire ASWE family, I am pleased to share our excitement regarding this potential partnership with the Town of Tecumseh” said Jeff Ostrow, Chair of the Board of Directors.   “We look forward to continued discussions with the Town and working together to explore a shared vision that will benefit the residents of Windsor and Essex County.”

“The Town is proud to support this proposed partnership with ASWE”, said Mayor Gary McNamara. “This project reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive, healthy, and supportive community spaces. By working collaboratively, we can enhance services for residents today while planning responsibly for the needs of our growing and aging population.”

The proposed development aligns with the Town’s broader vision for a community hub that integrates recreation, health, and social services. The addition of a dedicated dementia-friendly facility next to the Tecumseh Arena would further activate the site and create opportunities for shared use, partnership programming, and improved access to care for residents.

The initiative also demonstrates a shared commitment to building infrastructure that supports aging populations and enhances quality of life for residents across Windsor and Essex County.

Council approved the proposed development partnership in principle at the meeting on June 9, 2026 and further details regarding the terms of the partnership will be brought forward for Council consideration later this year.

Media Contacts

Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County
Sally Bennett Olczak, CEO
Phone: 519-974-2220 ext. 223
sbennett@aswecare.com

Town of Tecumseh

Aaron Carder

Communications Officer

519-735-2184, ext. 136

acarder@tecumseh.ca