A fundraising campaign for  a new regional hospital in Rosthern is getting closer to its $7 million goal.

Over $5 million has been raised by the Sask Valley Hospital Foundation (SVHF) over the past ten years, and campaign volunteers are optimistic they can reach their target in the near future once the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

The overall estimated cost of the proposed Sask Valley Hospital is $35 million. The provincial government is committed to funding $28 million, or 80% of that amount.

The other 20%, or $7 million, needs to come from the communities. So far, a total of $5.2 million has been raised, including $2.4 million in donations and $2.8 million from municipal tax levies in several municipalities within the Twin Rivers District, including Rosthern, Duck lake, Hague, Hepburn, Laird, Waldheim, RM of Duck Lake, RM of Laird and RM of Rosthern.

The Town of Rosthern has  acquired and serviced 10 acres of land for the new hospital. A new private medical clinic recently opened near the site of the proposed hospital.

Dr. Don Greve of Rosthern, a long-time physician in the community and a member of the SVHF Board of Directors, said the new hospital would replace the aging Rosthern Hospital, built in 1950.

“The Rosthern Hospital serves a very large area providing emergency, acute care and other services,” said Greve. “It also serves as a training facility for medical and nursing students and a central facility for home care, physiotherapy and outpatient care.

“It’s important to have a well-equipped hospital in this area to help relieve the load on major hospitals in Saskatoon.”

Greve said the 24-hour emergency room at the existing hospital in Rosthern is often very busy.

“It’s at the crossroads of two major highways, so there are always trauma cases from motor vehicle collisions,” he said. “In addition, it serves a large farming area and two First Nations communities. I’ve been a coroner for 39 years and I know what can happen out there. I’ve experienced all these things. The hospital in Rosthern is very active when it comes to acute care.”

But while the existing hospital provides essential services, the building itself is outdated and in constant need of repairs and maintenance.

“A lot of things have changed over the last 40 years in terms of the technology,” said Greve. “A new hospital is needed to enable hospital staff to do their jobs efficiently and safely.”

The existing Rosthern Hospital was built in 1950. A fundraising campaign to build a new regional hospital is currently underway.

Greve said there is a “tremendous amount of support” for a new hospital, not just from communities in the Twin Rivers District, but also from as far away as Wakaw, Warman and Martensville.

“People appreciate the security of knowing there is a constant medical service in the area,” he said. “A hospital helps attract and retain physicians, and also allied services like pharmacies, physiotherapy, mental health services, home care and so on.”

Currently, Rosthern has nine physicians, and another two physicians are expected to be practicing in the community by this summer.

Greve said the success so far of the grassroots fundraising campaign reflects area residents’ commitment to the project.

“We have seen significant donations from individual donors, and we’ve also seen big and small fundraising events in all the communities over the years,” he said. “The Town of Hague held a raffle recently for the hospital. A couple years ago, the Duck Lake Lions Club raised $150,000 in one evening when they held a telemiracle-style ‘amateur night’ featuring local performers.

“The physicians in Rosthern are also very musically-talented, and they’ve played at cabarets and concerts to raise money for the new hospital.

“Every community in the district has taken the initiative.”

Greve said the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the committee’s fundraising campaign, but donations are still being received. The campaign accepts online donations through the ‘Canada Helps’ website. Donations can also be sent directly in the form of cheques to the Sask Valley Hospital Foundation, Box 93, Rosthern, SK S0K 3R0.

Greve said once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, the SVHF fundraising committee intends to follow up with some selected donors on a person-to-person basis to further advance the appeal.

He said it’s “encouraging” to see the fundraising ‘thermometer’ steadily rising, and noted all donations are greatly appreciated.