Sharbot Lake Retirement and Retreat

Jeff Green | Feb 03, 2017

It has certainly been a long haul for Andrew Kovacs, but the results are pretty spectacular.

When he purchased the former Shabot Lake Senior’s Home in November of 2014 it was a building in need of some major improvements. It had served the community well for over 20 years, but needed modernisation and a new business model.

Andrew Kovacs had hoped to have it opened within 6 or 8 months but that did not happen.

A little over 2 years later, with the building basically completed except for the elevator which was being worked on while we were talking in the main lounge overlooking Sharbot Lake, he talked about some of the delays that took place.

“Things took longer to do than I expected and there was more to do once we got into it as well,” he said.

But there were other personal reasons for the delays. After working on the building for a couple of months, during which time he gutted it, Kovacs realised he needed to divest of some other properties he owned. While he was fixing those properties for re-sale, his father took ill and died.

It set him back at least eight months. For the past 14 months, all new electrical, insulation, a new kitchen, upgraded sprinkler systems, new lighting, new windows, two sets of automatic doors, new flooring, complete renovations of rooms, installation of senior friendly showers, and on the list goes of changes that have been made to make the building sparkle.

“What we have now is a clean, inviting space where people can live a hassle free life,” he said.

The monthly fees start at $3,250 for a village facing single room, and $3,500 for a water facing room, and going up to $4,500 for a suite that can accommodate two people.

“Our concept is to include everything in one fee, there are no add-ons except for a phone line, which can’t be included because of CRTC rules,” he said. “we do include all meals and snacks, cable, internet, laundry, a 24 hour Personal Support Worker on site, cleaning, parking for residents with a car. Other residences have hidden fees, ours are all in.”

“When people consider the cost of insurance, maintenance, snow removal, taxes, yard maintenance, food, etc. they will find they may be paying just as much as they would here while spending their time and energy on a home,” he added.

The residence also has access to Sharbot Lake, for fishing, boating, or enjoying from the shore line.

“We want to make this a community, and a part of that is the lounge overlooking the water,” he said.

Pretty soon after buying the building Andrew decided to move the dining area near to the kitchen and turn the dining room into a comfortable lounge, a shared space for all the tenants.

“If residents want to hold Euchres, do crafts, whatever they decide we will help make that happen,” he said. “I think this is a beautiful area, a great place to live.”

The residence is open for viewing now, and the website slrr.ca is up and running.

“It takes people time to deal with making this kind of change, I know that, which is why they can delay moving in for 60-90 days or longer once they pay a deposit on a room,” he said, adding that he is offering the first month free as well for new tenants.”

The home is licensed for 20 occupants but Kovacs is capping it at 18. He can be reached at 613-279-7799 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.