Crown Ridge Health Care Services is a small corporation that is 100% family owned and operated. Many of our staff have been with us for years and are also part of our family. Fred Freeman along with his wife Suzanne founded Crown Ridge Health Care Services Inc. in 1974. Together, Fred and his son, Greg Freeman, have continued to expand Crown Ridge Health Care to serve the communities of Quinte West, Belleville and Napanee to meet the needs of all of our residents with 210 licensed Long term care beds and 136 retirement suites to service singles and couples. As a team, our more than 325 employees demonstrate our core Values of Creativity, Respect, Outstanding, Welcoming and Nurturing care and services to our residents, visitors and staff every day.
We are open for scheduled tours. Safety protocols are in place. Call today for more information. Contact us to book a tour by calling the residence directly or filling out our online Book a Tour form.
Let us introduce you to a few of our team members:
Fred started his career as a chef in a local family Restaurant in the 1960’s. In the early 70’s the family restaurant was closed and Fred accepted a position with a small local Long Term Care Home. After a few short years he purchased that home and started the family’s journey to becoming one of the leading Long Term Care and Retirement providers in Quinte West.
In the early 80’s Westgate Lodge was added to the portfolio and immediately plans were made to expand the size of both locations. By 1991 the company had grown from the initial 50 bed home to two locations serving more than 172 residents.
Greg is the second generation of the Freeman family. He joined the family business in 1991 as the Administrator of The Crown Ridge Retirement Residence. After assuming other roles within the company and acting as the Vice President of Operation, Greg assumed the role of CEO in 2002 upon Fred Freeman’s Retirement.
Since Greg’s involvement as CEO the company has expanded and doubled in size with numerous additions to both the Retirement Home Division and Long Term Care. Greg’s career has been focused on establishing a strong Management team with various skills to strengthen our Mission Statement of “Embracing Life’s Journey” for all residents and employees, promoting the highest level of service with the desire to explore each individual’s Creativity to constantly improve.
Leslie is a distinguished leader whose journey in the world of long-term care spans over three decades. She joined the Crown Ridge Health Care family in 2006 as the Administrator of our Westgate Lodge Long Term Care Home in Belleville. Her ascent from the role of Administrator to her current role as COO is a testament to her unyielding passion for enriching the lives of residents and staff alike.
Leslie started her journey as a dedicated Registered Nurse, where she cultivated a deep understanding of the healthcare needs of our aging population. Her passion and dedication soon saw her rise to the position of Director of Nursing, Assessment Coordinator, and Quality Assurance Coordinator. Leslie is now responsible for guiding the strategic direction of our long-term care and retirement residences. Through her innovative care strategies, Leslie has enhanced resident outcomes and a positive workplace culture.
With a heart full of compassion, a wealth of experience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Leslie is the driving force behind our mission to provide outstanding services to our residents, families, and visitors.
Sandra is a dedicated healthcare professional with a rich and diverse career spanning over 25 plus years in the Long-Term Care sector. Her journey began as a Registered Nurse, where her compassion and commitment to patient care quickly became evident. Over the years she continued to excel in her roles, eventually to the position of Director of Care in various Long Term Care Homes.
Sandra joined Crown Ridge Health Care in 2006 as the Director of Nursing, and not long after transitioned into the position of Administrator. In this capacity, she has continued to lead by example, fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism, and above all, compassion for the residents. Her influence extends beyond the individuals she manages. She is also a vital part of the corporate office at Crown Ridge Health Care Services. Sandra’s journey demonstrates the positive impact one can have when combining clinical expertise with a keen focus on operational excellence.
Christine joined our team within Crown Ridge Health Care at Westgate Lodge where she was the Assistant Director of Nursing for 8 years. She moved to Napanee in 2017, and took on the role of General Manager at The Riverine in 2018.
Christine has been married more than 25 years and has raised two grown children.
Christine has 30 years nursing experience, including Long Term Care, Retirement and Home care. She continually seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge and accomplishments. She brings compassion, and genuine concern for Resident’s protection, safety and well-being, and always has a positive outlook on life.
At The Riverine, Christine wants to understand you as a whole person, ensure your health and safety needs are met, and Welcomes you to our home to begin embracing life’s journey.
Erin Lemke’s connection to senior care began in her final year of high school with a co-op placement at Westgate Lodge. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for making a difference in the lives of older adults. She went on to graduate from Loyalist College’s Recreation and Leisure Services Program and later earned her Personal Support Worker certificate, giving her the skills to not only engage residents in meaningful ways but also provide the hands-on care they sometimes need.
Since joining the Crown Ridge family in 2005, Erin has worn many hats — from Recreation and Leisure Aide to Life Enrichment Coordinator in Long Term Care to Wellness Manager in Retirement— each role strengthening her understanding of what makes a retirement home truly feel like home. In May 2025, she proudly became the General Manager of Crown Ridge Retirement Residence.
Erin is a dedicated and caring leader who always puts residents first. Her greatest priorities are their safety, comfort, and happiness, and she works every day to ensure everyone feels loved, valued, and part of a warm, welcoming community.
Born and raised in Trenton, Shelly is a graduate of the Recreation and Leisure Services program from Sir Sandford Fleming College. Shelly joined our team at Crown Ridge Health Care in 2008 in the role of Life Enrichment Coordinator at Crown Ridge Place. Shortly after, she became a member of the Westgate Lodge team in the same role, providing quality programming and enriching the lives of our many residents.
Shelly recently had the opportunity to return to Crown Ridge to take on the role as General Manager at the retirement home. Shelly has over 22 years experience in long term care. Shelly’s experience, dedication, team work and passion for helping others is ongoing. Shelly continues to support our companies values by implementing daily initiatives to seek creative opportunities to improve the lifestyles of our residents and their families and provide a positive workplace for our staff.
Carrie brings over 20 years of dedicated experience in nursing and long-term care. A proud member of the Trenton community, she has built her career on a foundation of clinical excellence, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to person-centered care.
She began her nursing career in 2001 after earning a Nursing Diploma from Loyalist College, later completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Queen’s University. After starting in hospital care, Carrie discovered her passion for long-term care and joined Westgate Lodge in 2005. Over her 17-year tenure, she held progressive leadership roles, including Registered Nurse, Assistant Director of Care (ADOC), Director of Care (DOC), and ultimately, Administrator.
In 2022, Carrie transitioned to a role as an inspector with the Ministry of Long-Term Care, gaining valuable insight into the regulatory framework that shapes quality care in the sector.
Carrie is excited to contribute her experience and insight to support excellence in care delivery. She is a strong advocate for residents and is committed to fostering a collaborative, team-based approach that empowers staff and enhances the overall quality of care.