Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-10-15, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015. Foundation details renovations project Giving thanks The 67th annual Belgrave Turkey Supper was another success as 1,000 all sat down and ate a full turkey dinner together on the arena floor of the Belgrave Community Centre. The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the community centre. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Central Huron gifted new garden The Municipality of Central Huron Communities in Bloom Committee is to be honoured with one of 140 special gardens being given to communities across Canada in honour of Canada’s relationship with the Dutch Royal Family during World War II. The group will receive a special 70th Anniversary Dutch-Canadian Friendship Tulip Garden which marks 70 years since a garden was first given by the Dutch to Canada as a symbol of appreciation for Canadian soldiers fighting to liberate the Netherlands and the hospitality the Dutch Royal Family received in Ottawa during the war. Committee Co-Chair Marg Anderson said the group feels very fortunate as the committee was informed that more than 400 applications were received by the Canadian Garden Council to receive one of the gardens that consists of 800 red and white tulip bulbs. The garden will be linked to the 80th anniversary Dutch-Canadian Friendship Tulip Garden that is to be planted this fall in Ottawa by the National Capital Commission and shown during the 2016 Canadian Tulip Festival. The local garden will also be featured by the 2016 Canada’s Garden Route edition at www.canadasgardenroute.ca The committee thanks everyone who made the application and the program possible. The Listowel and Wingham Hospital Alliance and Wingham Hospital Foundation briefed North Huron Township Council and Morris-Turnberry Council on plans to renovate 30 per cent of the existing hospital as well as expanding to the Community Health Campus, the former Wingham Public School, last week. Karl Ellis, the Chief Economical Officer (CEO) of the Listowel and Wingham Hospital Alliance and Bernie Bailey, a member of the Wingham Hospital Foundation, briefed council on the project as well as on how it would be funded during the meeting. Ellis explained that the upgrades are split into three different projects: the hospital renovation, diagnostic imaging equipment and the community health campus. The renovations in the hospital will affect 30 per cent of the existing building with 15,000 square feet being redeveloped. The oncology department and pharmacy will be changed significantly, increasing 2,400 square feet, or up 300 per cent. The sterilization are will be increased 200 per cent and be changed to be a one-way flow through the room. Post-operation recovery will be moved to be adjacent to the operating room and increased 60 per cent. A centralized nursing station will replace multiple nurse stations and the clinic will be expanded up to 480 per cent. Ellis explained that, with these changes, some things will be moved to the community health campus as the hospital isn’t allowed to change its brick and mortar footprint. The former gym at the campus will be split into two floors and converted into an 8,100 square foot clinic while 40 different offices and meeting rooms will be created through the rest of the campus. Bailey then explained that 90 per cent of eligible renovations are being covered by the Ministry of Health with the remaining 10 per cent funded by community campaign. Diagnostic imaging equipment, however, which will replace existing equipment at the hospital, has to be a community endeavour so fundraising projects will be focused on that. The campus will also benefit from the community campaign and be aided by traditional financing programs plus rental income from the property. In total, the fundraising goal for the hospital foundation is $4 million and the group suggests that they will meet that goal in 18 months. Construction will be done in 2.5 years according to Bailey, who said that the hospital is a perfect example of economic development and should be supported. “Economic development requires health care,” Bailey said to North Huron at its Oct. 5 meeting. “It is an economic driver. The health care system is the number one employer in North Huron.” Bailey suggested that the municipality donate $500,000 over five years. North Huron Council discussed the issue and was told by Chief Administrative Officer Sharon Chambers that a large item like this would be discussed during budget deliberations. North Huron Councillor Ray Hallahan said he felt it was an important issue that council had to deal with. “This is one of the most influential issues that is going to be on our plates,” he said. “We all need the hospital. We know that. I’m sure we’ll come up with something, I just don’t have it in my pocket right now. The duo met a similar response during Morris-Turnberry Council’s Oct. 8 meeting, being told the plan sounded good. “The approach being taken here, a hub of healthcare professionals, has to be vibrant,” Mayor Paul Gowing said. “It’s important to have that full array of healthcare available from a small hub like that. I think that’s very visionary to have gone in that direction.” Gowing went on to say that health care is not a lower tier issue, but there are few things more important than it. Bailey asked Morris-Turnberry Council for between $300,000 and $500,000 over five years and explained he wanted to make the presentation prior to the budget deliberations. Council deferred the decision until its budget meetings later this month. CLINTON 8 Isaac St., Box 158 Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 519-482-3434 Fax: 519-482-1491 GODERICH 46 East St., Goderich, ON N7A 1W3 519-524-9899 Fax: 519-524-9699 LUCKNOW 634 Campbell St., Box 389 Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0 519-528-3824 Fax: 519-528-2531 1-877-839-3742 www.omnibrokers.ca Your Insurance Broker Understands • FARM • HOME • AUTO • • BUSINESS • LIFE • • DISABILITY • May McConville Omni is pleased to announce that Colin Becker and Brenda Young have joined our team in Goderich, Clinton and Lucknow. Colin and Brenda both come with insurance experience and are looking forward to handling your insurance needs. Please do not hesitate to call Colin or Brenda or any other of our experienced staff today for your free no obligation quote. Colin Becker Brenda Young Authorized by the official agent for Allan Thompson. ALLAN THOMPSON Integrity, Fairness, a Rural Voice. Vote for real change. Vote Liberal. Vote for Allan Thompson. 1-844-396-7880 www.allanthompson.ca allan@allanthompson.ca By Denny Scott The Citizen By Denny Scott The Citizen BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED