Facilities Management

Our Commitment

At GEF Seniors Housing, we believe that safe, comfortable, and well-maintained living environments are essential to client wellness. Our Facilities Management Team ensures that each building is efficiently operated, fully safety-compliant, and welcoming to all.

39803 work orders completed in 2024

4 .9 Average days to complete High Priority Work Orders

8 .12 Average days to complete Medium Priority Work Orders

Our Facilities Management Team is responsible for:

  • Preventive and Corrective Maintenance
    Managing HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and structural systems across all sites.
  • Fire and Life Safety Compliance
    Conducting inspections and maintaining alarms and safety systems in accordance with all applicable codes.
  • Contractor and Vendor Coordination
    Overseeing elevator maintenance, fire protection services, and capital project contractors.
  • Asset Management and Capital Planning
    Planning and budgeting for building upgrades and the full lifecycle of infrastructure.
  • Sustainability and Efficiency
    Implementing green-building practices and energy-efficient retrofits across our sites.

Our Approach

Our work is guided by a client-first, safety-forward, and cost-conscious philosophy. Through proactive planning and strategic upgrades, we minimize disruptions and deliver reliable, responsive facility operations.

At GEF Seniors Housing, our Facilities Management Team is made up of 26 dedicated professionals, who ensure our buildings are safe, functional, and welcoming for the seniors who call them home. Our team includes a blend of skilled tradespeople – maintenance coordinators, project leaders, and administrative support – each playing a vital role in delivering high-quality services across all our sites.

Together, this team ensures every building and system is maintained with care and precision. From daily maintenance to major renovations, we take pride in our work and are committed to supporting the well-being of our clients and staff.

Grace Garden: Comprehensive boiler upgrade to enhance heating reliability and resident comfort.

Ansgar Villa: Roof replacement project focused on long-term durability and weather protection.

Kiwanis Place: Boiler and roof system upgrade to improve energy efficiency and extend building lifespan.

2024 Work Order Performance Summary

In 2024, our Facilities Management Team completed 39,803 work orders across 40 buildings – demonstrating our strong commitment to maintaining safe, functional, and client-focused environments.

A work order is a formal request for maintenance or repair tasks, ensuring that facilities and equipment are running efficiently and safely. These work orders are critical for managing resources, tracking progress, and maintaining a history of completed tasks. They streamline the process of organizing, prioritizing, and assigning responsibilities within the maintenance team.

Work Orders Doesn’t Necessarily Mean There’s a Problem

Work orders can be any task requiring attention – from replacing a light bulb, adjusting a door closer, performing routine preventive maintenance, or completing more complex repairs.

Each work order represents our proactive effort to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.

What This Means for You

Clients and staff can rely on our Facilities Management Team to:

  • Respond to requests efficiently.
  • Keep spaces safe, functional, and well-lit.
  • Ensure routine and preventive maintenance is carried out.
  • Support building health, accessibility, and comfort year-round.

Performance Highlights

High-Priority Work Orders (target resolution: 2–7 days) had a median completion time of just 4.9 days, well within the expected timeframe.

Medium-Priority Work Orders (target resolution: 8–30 days) had a median completion time of 8.12 days, resolving most requests shortly after submission.

These metrics show that our team not only meets but often exceeds expectations for timely service across all building types. Whether it’s a quick fix or a priority issue, we’re here to provide fast, consistent support.

Our Facilities Management Team works year-round to keep your building safe, comfortable, and prepared for every season. From deep winter freezes to fire prevention, here’s what you can expect from us and how you can help.

Alberta winters are no joke, and we’re ready. Our team monitors weather conditions and takes proactive steps to ensure client safety during snow, ice, and extreme cold.

What We Do:

  • Snow and Ice Removal: Walkways, entrances, and parking lots are regularly cleared to minimize slip hazards and ensure safe access.
  • Heating System Maintenance: Boilers, furnaces, and HVAC systems are inspected and serviced to keep your home warm and systems running efficiently.

What You Can Do as a Tenant:

  • Keep windows closed during extreme cold to preserve heat and prevent frozen pipes.
  • Report any heating issues, cold drafts, or icy areas to your site office staff.
  • Wear winter-appropriate footwear and use handrails when outside to avoid slips and falls.

Fire safety is one of our highest priorities. We follow rigorous inspection schedules and response protocols to keep clients and buildings protected.

What We Do:

  • System Testing and Inspections: Fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, and emergency lighting are regularly tested and maintained to meet all provincial and national safety codes.
  • Fire Avert: GEF utilizes Fire Avert devices that are automatic stove shut-off systems designed to prevent both fire and smoke damage. These smart devices instantly cut power to the stove when smoke is detected, providing an added layer of fire safety in apartment units.

What You Can Do as a Tenant:

  • Participate in fire drills and read safety notices when shared. Being prepared saves lives.
  • Never block fire exits or tamper with any fire safety equipment.
  • If you see a damaged smoke detector or alarm, report it to your site office staff right away.

Driving Sustainable Growth Through Planning and Best Practices

At GEF Seniors Housing, we are committed to long-term sustainability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. Our Facilities Management Team follows industry best practices and internationally recognized standards to keep our buildings efficient, safe, and future-ready.

We are proud to announce that we have achieved ISO 50001:2018 certification for energy management across 9 of our sites. This internationally recognized standard reflects our commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

What This Means for Us and You:

  • A robust framework is now in place to monitor, manage, and continually improve energy performance across our properties.
  • Staff and stakeholders are actively engaged in daily practices that reduce our environmental impact.
  • We are taking measurable steps toward lowering utility costs and enhancing long-term operational efficiency.

This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team, whose efforts continue to drive meaningful progress. From conducting energy audits to advancing energy modeling, every contribution supports a greener, more sustainable future for our community.

Alongside our ISO certification efforts, we are implementing ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a North America-wide tool for tracking and benchmarking energy and water performance.

What We’re Doing:

  • Monitoring utility usage across all properties.
  • Setting benchmark targets and identifying underperforming systems.
  • Using performance data to inform infrastructure upgrades and capital planning.
  • Supporting long-term sustainability and operational efficiency.

Reviving the 2019 Facilities Master Plan for a Sustainable, Client-Centered Future

We are in the process of reviving and modernizing our 2019 Facilities Master Plan, a strategic guide that aligns building upgrades with GEF’s core values and goals.

This renewed plan will:

  • Align future upgrades with sustainability and accessibility goals.
  • Guide strategic investments in infrastructure and building technology.
  • Enhance comfort and functionality for clients.
  • Ensure our facilities evolve to meet changing community needs.

Whether through ISO certification, ENERGY STAR benchmarking, or our revived Master Plan, our goal is to ensure GEF Seniors Housing facilities are among the best-managed, safest, and most efficient in the region. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to quality, transparency, and client wellbeing.

For general inquiries or work orders:

Please call your building’s main office phone line.

For emergency after hour urgent requests:

Call 780-930-6698 for the after hours emergency On-Call Technician.