Details unveiled on Minnedosa medical clinic

Details

Published on Friday, June 24, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

A call to action has been made to the residents of Minnedosa to support the construction of a new medical clinic. Details on the proposed facility were unveiled to the public on Wednesday, June 15. The information that was provided included the floor plan, artists’ conceptual drawings of the building and the estimated cost. 

The building will be constructed on property just west of the Minnedosa Hospital, with Penner Construction out of Virden in charge of the build. The new 5,036 square foot facility will include 10 examination rooms, offices and a conference room. Other amenities, which will be located on the lower level, include sleeping quarters, a dining and kitchen area and additional storage capacity.

Medical clinic committee chair Wayne Currah said this official unveiling to the general public has been a long time coming.

“The committee has been working behind the scenes quite diligently for well over a year now and the town itself for even longer. But now, it’s of paramount importances to get the details out to the community. For the general public, this is their first chance to get a look at the project. The design details and where we’re at from a financial standpoint,” said Currah. “From the feedback we’ve received, the response has been very positive. Ultimately, the responsibility is in fundraising and to make sure we can get some regional resources to make the project viable. We’re optimistic that’ll happen, but we’re not taking anything for granted.”

Minnedosa has been dealing with a decline in available physicians for several years. Mayor Ray Orr said that part of that problem lies in the lack of a modern facilities, which would greatly assist in attracting and keeping doctors.

 “At this stage, this is the most important issue [the Town of Minnedosa] has to deal with, which is the whole idea of the shortage of medical practitioners and the impact it has on the town and the surrounding area. We’ve been told by the [Prairie Mountain Health] RHA, that the single most important thing that we can do to help ourselves is to get this building built. A building that is modern and up to date. So, we want to get that going,” stressed Orr. “We’re very encouraged by what we, as a community, have been able to accomplish so far. And we are hoping that with this kind of kickoff to the public fundraising campaign, that this will get going. That people will respond to it.”

The committee is now at the fundraising stage and asking for public support on this regional project. The total cost is approximately $2.5 million. The RM of Oakview, RM of Harrison Park, RM of Minto-Odanah and Town of Minnedosa have already committed a combined $810,000. With an objective of keeping the financing costs as low as possible, the public fundraising goal is set at $1.1 million, with $302,500 already raised. That money has come from the Minnedosa Foundation, Minnedosa and District Health Foundation, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #138, Minnedosa Rotary Club and a number of individual donations. That leaves $810,000 to raise locally, with the remainder of the cost to be paid off via a mortgage. 

Currah said the local financial support has been great so far and now that additional information has been revealed, he expects that momentum to continue.

“The amount needed to be raised is not an outrageous figure. The Minnedosa Legion recently committed $100,000. An announcement from the Rotary Club will be made soon. Other commitments from the Minnedosa Foundation and the Health Foundation have helped to bring down the amount still needed. These commitments of the service groups are so important, but individuals can assist as well. Every dollar contributed is another dollar closer to the end goal and getting to work,” stressed Currah.

Several donation tiers for individuals and corporate/community groups have been established and all donations over $10 are tax deductible. The hope is that the fundraising campaign will allow for the construction of the facility to begin before the start of winter, allowing for the clinic to open by mid 2017.