Neepawa left in the cold
- Details
- Published on Friday, March 2, 2018
Photo by Micah Waddell. The Neepawa Health Centre was absent from the list of 120 projects getting financial support for maintenance and security upgrades. Nearby communities Minnedosa and Gladstone, however, have received funding from the province.
120 health care facilities receive support, including Minnedosa & Gladstone
by Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner & Press
Communities across the province are receiving financial support to help maintain and secure their health-care facilities; Neepawa is not one of them. On Monday, Feb. 26, the Manitoba government announced that it had approved more than 120 projects to receive funding totalling nearly $30 million. These specific projects were selected due to the safety and security needs of the facilities.
In total, there were 44 projects estimated to cost more than $150,000 each for a total of $21.8 million. An additional $6.8 million will address 80 projects estimated to cost less than $150,000. The remaining $1.4 million will be held in reserve in case of any emergent needs.
Three regional facilities received more than $150,000 in support; the Minnedosa Health Centre (Boiler replacement),Third Crossing Manor in Gladstone (Sprinkler system installation) and Gladstone Health Centre (Sprinkler system installation).
The Gladstone Health Centre received a second financial grant for less than $150,000,that will go towards phase two of a roof replacement.
As part of the provincial announcement, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen noted that it’s important to regularly invest like this to make sure repairs are done and up-to-date equipment is used to support quality care.
“These investments will ensure that sites continue to meet provincial, national and international standards and keep facilities in good repair.” stated Goertzen.
In an email sent to the Neepawa Banner & Press earlier this week, a government spokesperson added to Goertzen’s initial comment and also explained the section process. The spokesperson noted that the selection of proposals was made after the regional health authorities submitted their respective lists of what they considered top priority items within their communities.
For Minnedosa and Neepawa, that falls under the umbrella of Prairie Mountain Health, while Gladstone is a part of Southern Health-Santé Sud. Along with the regional health authorities, the project requests could have been submitted by CancerCare Manitoba, Diagnostic Services Manitoba, and the Addictions Foundation.
In total, there were 14 separate projects funded within the Prairie Mountain Health region. Vice president of finance, capital and support services, Brian Schoonbaert said the RHA is pleased with that level of support. He added that the replacement of the boiler in Minnedosa was one of their top priorities for the region.
Neepawa is on the replacement list
As for the reason Neepawa was not a part of the 120 projects selected, Schoonbaert noted that it’s likely due to the Health Centre falling under a different criteria, as discussions over the past few years have focused on the replacement of the entire facility.
The Neepawa Banner & Press was unable to reach Southern Health-Santé Sud for a comment on Gladstone before its publication deadline. David Single, mayor of the Municipality of Westlake-Gladstone, however, stated that this was great news for the community.
“A commitment like this suggests that the province sees Gladstone and surrounding area becoming a priority. [The Gladstone Health Centre] services a lot of families in the area, especially north of the community. It’s a fair distance to travel to Neepawa or Portage la Prairie for care, so ensuring the Health Centre and Third Crossing are maintained matters,” said Single.
The full list of projects funded can be found with this story at www.mywestman.ca.
