Glenboro gets $100,000 for new medical clinic
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/12/2024 (378 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Glenboro is one step closer to reaching its $2.5 million fundraising goal to build a new medical clinic after receiving a $100,000 donation from Sunrise Credit Union on Tuesday.
The community has been raising money for the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic since August and is hoping to break ground on the new healthcare facility in the spring of 2025, said Ron Jefferies, chair of the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic committee.
“It’s fantastic, and it’s just what we needed,” Jefferies told the Sun during a phone interview on Tuesday afternoon.
Glenboro’s Ron Jefferies (second from left), Spirit Sands Medical Clinic board chair, holds a cheque for $100,000, donated by the Sunrise Credit Union for the construction of a new clinic in Glenboro. Tim Klassen, (far left) is president and CEO of Sunrise Credit Union. Next to Jefferies is Troy McGill, branch manager, Sunrise Credit Union in Cypress River, and Heather Merckx, marketing manager of Sunrise Credit Union. (Submitted)
“We do have over a million dollars of cash in the bank right now, but we’re still actively fundraising. And we’re so thrilled with the support we’ve got from the community, the businesses, and everybody who’s been involved in the project,” he added.
Tim Klassen, Sunrise Credit Union CEO and president said the capital project is significant and vital for the community.
“We believe in giving back to the community, and we are proud to support this new build. Together, we can ensure that our family and neighbours have access to healthcare for future generations,” Klassen said in a news release.
The current clinic is located in the basement of the Glenboro Health Centre, which was built in the early 1950s. It also houses a personal care home.
Jefferies explained that the new 3,250 square foot-clinic will be built on a vacant lot behind the hospital. It will provide a modern space for the community’s health practitioners, including new treatment rooms, a family room, reception and waiting room.
After the community lost one of its two doctors in March of 2023, it was feared that the Glenboro Health Centre would shut down, Ed Bedford, Glenboro’s deputy mayor told the Sun.
But in February this year, Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) hired Dr. Banafsheh Salim Arouny, who works in the Glenboro hospital and clinic. It also hired a locum, Dr. Gerard Desmond, and nurse practitioner Brittany Vrooman.
In October, the community hired an international recruiter to help them find another doctor with the help of PMH through its now defunct physician recruitment program, which was started in 2016.
The cost-sharing initiative was started by PMH to help municipalities recruit physicians by paying a portion of the recruiting fee.
Glenboro’s health action committee raised about $75,000, and PMH pitched in with $65,000. The recruiting firm found a doctor from the United Kingdom who has committed to moving to, and working in Glenboro, as the Sun reported on Oct. 12, 2024.
Jefferies said that while the clinic will be built in Glenboro, he expects to see patients from the municipalities of Glenboro-South Cypress, Prairie Lakes, Argyle, Victoria and Oakland-Wawanesa.
There’s been “buy in” from all areas, he added. “There are lots of moving targets in a clinic project like this, and we’re actively fundraising. We need to show that there’s lots of local support, and so far, people really believe in this, they’re really behind it.”
“So, we’re really excited,” Jefferies said.
The project is expected to take approximately one year to complete.
» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com
» X: @enviromichele