By Greg Nikkel
The Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation board is optimistic that Weyburn continues to be in a good place to receive a new acute-care hospital once the Sask Party has chosen their new leader and premier for Saskatchewan.
Board member Dan Cugnet provided an update on what the foundation is doing and where things are at for a new hospital, in an address to the Weyburn Rotary Club on Thursday.
The foundation began in 2007-08 as the fundraising arm for a new acute-care hospital, as the community is responsible for a portion of the funding for a new facility, and for equipment costs. The foundation has raised almost $23 million to date, of which $20 million is earmarked for the facility itself, and the balance will go towards buying new equipment, with the goal to have $10 million raised for that part of the project, said Cugnet.
There are a number of unknown factors right now, Cugnet said, such as the leadership race for the Sask. Party, and the upcoming move to dissolve the health regions and create one provincial health board, which is to take effect on Monday, Dec. 4.
The $20-million fund for the facility is based on the provincial formula for new health care facilities, which is currently at 20 per cent for the local community to raise, and 80 per cent by the province. The local foundation and health board estimated that a new facility might cost around $100 million, based on facilities built in other similar-sized communities in the province.
The hospital project had received $500,000 for planning and design from the province, and has been put on hold when the province announced there would be an amalgamation of health regions into one provincial board. The health region was about to look into possible locations for a new hospital when the project was put on hold, said Cugnet.
The foundation was told that at the provincial level, Weyburn and Prince Albert are No. 1 and 2 on the list for new facilities, with the difference that Weyburn has raised their share of funds, while Prince Albert has not raised any.
鈥淭hey have an entrenched position, saying that the province needs to build a facility, whereas we鈥檝e got our money raised and are ready to go. I鈥檓 very optimistic that we鈥檙e going to see some significant movement in our direction,鈥� said Cugnet, noting that the new Children鈥檚 Hospital in Saskatoon is nearing completion.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been advocating with the MLA, and asking why we鈥檙e on hold when we鈥檙e ready to go,鈥� he said.
The Weyburn District Planning Commission, which includes the City and RM of Weyburn as partners, has been looking at the project and is also willing to lobby on behalf of the hospital project at the provincial level, said Cugnet.
As for a location for the hospital, a number of locations were being considered, and some area landowners may be prepared to donate a 10-acre parcel of land towards a new hospital, which would save the project some money. A parcel in the range of 20 to 40 acres is being considered, which would allow for future growth and expansion of the facility if required.
Asked about funds that were raised for a new hospital prior to the formation of the Sun Country Health Region, Cugnet said that money had been put in trust, and has now been turned over to the hospital foundation. Executive director Melanie Sorensen confirmed that the foundation received those funds, in the amount of $720,000.
In regard to the leadership candidates for the Sask Party, Cugnet noted he has spoken to all of them about Weyburn鈥檚 need for a new hospital, and so all of them are well aware of the need.
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