Our History
Our home has always been dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment where residents feel valued, comfortable and cared for.
The Original Home
Dr. John M Gillis and his wife Edna originally built the home as their family residence in the early 1960s which was in close proximity to his doctor’s office down the street. After Dr. Gillis’ passing, Edna eventually turned the home into a small community care home housing local seniors in the community.
Transition to Long Term Care Home
In 1987, the home was sold to Donald and Doris MacDonald and Douglas and Joan MacKenzie (Edna’s sister). Later that year, they opened their doors to the public as a brand new Long Term Care Home. Their vision was to build a home in rural PEI so that seniors could stay in their community for as long as possible, and that’s exactly what they have done since day one.
Early Expansion
The original house and expansion included both nursing and community care beds with about 30 residents. Since then, the home has gone through several updates and expansions. Today, Gillis Lodge is home to 100 residents with our last expansion occurring in 2017.
Next Phase of Care
In June 2025, the home went through another change with Douglas Mackenzie retiring after 38 years of service. During this transition, the home was purchased 100% by William McGuigan, a member of the Gillis Lodge staff since 2022. William is also a member of the Belfast community and has several family members who work at the lodge, as well as family who are residents including his mother, sister, aunt, uncle, and cousin.
