Minnedosa Primary Care Centre breaks ground

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Minnedosa Primary Care Centre breaks ground

Details: Published on Friday, October 13, 2017

Photo by Hillary Miller
Ceremonial sod turning.

Submitted
Neepawa Banner & Press

Physicians, contractors, primary care clinic committee members, and representatives from local municipalities gather to break ground for the construction of the new Dr. Ajai Khandelwal Primary Care Centre, to be built just West of the Minnedosa District Health Centre.

The Dr. Ajai Khandelwal Primary Care Centre committee reached a decision to proceed with fall construction of the new medical clinic facility in Minnedosa. The non-profit charitable organization has raised $1,754,000 to date, having received significant support from the communities, businesses, organizations and individuals in Minnedosa and surrounding municipalities: The total projected cost of the 5,036 square foot facility is $2,113,000.

After consultation with the project manager, T. L. Penner Construction and their architects, the committee unanimously decided to proceed with construction of the building and its functional aspects, with construction slated to begin in the coming weeks. Travis Penner of T.L. Penner Construction said, “There are a few preliminary things that need to be done, some surveying and line locating and that sort of thing. The design is basically done, it’s just a matter of getting in here; we expect to have it completed early summer, and then you’ll have the best clinic in the area!”

According to Gord Lane, chairman of the primary care committee, “The committee’s decision to start at this time is to preserve the current pricing for material and trades and to complete the project as soon as possible to secure additional doctors.” Completion of the building construction ensures the ability of Minnedosa Medical Group to provide uninterrupted and improved clinic services to the area, as well as the ability to recruit and retain additional doctors to the community. Reinforcing that, Monty Peckover, councillor for Minto-Odanah, states the new clinic is a benefit to the region as “It is part of our long-term strategy to recruit doctors into the community.”

In an effort to reduce immediate costs, some features have been held back for tender in the spring including paving, landscaping and a basement suite which will be completed as funds allow. John Mendrikis, board member of the primary care clinic, noted that “Proceeding with construction at this time is largely due to the public response that has occurred to date for fundraising. The remaining balance will be the goal of the committee to raise by reaching out to anyone and everyone that sees this project as a benefit to themselves and communities.”

A new clinic in Minnedosa not only stands to serve Minnedosa residents, but also those of the surrounding municipalities and communities. Kaye Wolstenholme, a councillor for the R.M. of Oakview commented, “I think it’s going to be a real benefit for our municipalities, not only ours, but especially a town like Rapid City where the residents are always coming to Minnedosa or they have to wait or go somewhere else like Shoal Lake, so I think that’s nice and handy.”

To date, generous support has been shown by the rural municipalities of Harrison Park, Minto-Odanah and Oakview, and the Town of Minnedosa having contributed a combined $810,000 to the facility. “It’s a project that’s been a long time coming and I’m just so glad to see a start. The municipality is actually quite pleased to put money towards it because it is something that the region in general really needs,” said Jim Andersen, the Reeve for Minto-Odanah.

“I think it’s fantastic for the area. The opportunity for the community and surrounding area to come together to put up a clinic for the Minnedosa area; it’s been a long time coming and we are certainly happy to be a part of it” said Bruce Dalgarno, councillor for the R.M. of Harrison Park. The business and service group sector has contributed a considerable $604,000, while individual donors and families have contributed an additional $340,000 to the total $1,754,000 raised. “We are very pleased to have got to this point, and we appreciate the efforts of our partner municipalities and donors who are involved” said Minnedosa’s mayor, Ray Orr, “We encourage people to continue to help us out because we still need to raise some more funds to be able to finish everything off.”

Local doctor, Dr. Ajai Khandelwal officially turned sod at the new clinic site, and is “humbled and honoured” to be recognized by the naming of the new clinic as tribute for his 40 plus years of service in the community.

Donations can be made at the offices of The Town of Minnedosa, RM of Minto Odanah, RM of Harrison Park, RM of Clanwilliam Erickson, RM of Oakview Rapid City office, MNP office, Heritage Co-op office, or can be mailed to Minnedosa Primary Care Centre, PO Box 985, Minnedosa, MB. R0J 1E0. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all donations.