The campaign to raise funds for a new, modern hospital in Rosthern has reached a major milestone.
“Our projected fundraising goal is $8 million,” said Sask Valley Hospital Foundation (SVHF) spokesperson Dr. Don Greve. “It was originally $7 million but inflationary pressures have added to the total.
“So far, we have raised $5,896,636 in assured funds through a combination of municipal tax levies, fundraising events, and donations.”
Greve, a retired family physician who practised for 45 years in Rosthern, said a new hospital is needed to meet the demands of the growing region.
“There is tremendous pressure on the existing hospital,” he said. “It was built in 1950, and during these extraordinary times, it’s very difficult for health care workers to deal with the COVID-19 cases. Front-line staff are exhausted.
“And when you’re trying to do that work in a facility that is over 70 years old and not very well suited for current medical practices, it’s very challenging.”
Greve noted that engineering studies have shown the existing hospital, which serves a very wide geographic area and serves as a “northern anchor” for the Saskatoon region, needs to be replaced.
A campaign for a new hospital, estimated to cost in the neighbourhood of $35 to $36 million, was begun 12 years ago. While the provincial government has committed to funding 80 per cent of that total cost, the remaining 20 per cent, approximately $8 million, is the responsibility of the municipalities in the Twin Rivers district. The nine municipalities that have earmarked tax levies for the hospital include: the Towns of Rosthern, Duck Lake, Hague, Hepburn and Waldheim, as well as the RMs of Laird, Rosthern and Duck Lake.
“The municipal tax levy has so far contributed $2,084,515 toward the overall projected total of $3,382,121,” said Greve.
In 2019, the SVHF organized a major fundraiser which saw a new home constructed in Rosthern, with the proceeds going toward the new hospital. A total of $350,000 was raised through that project.
The Rosthern Lions Club has committed $80,000 in donations to the new hospital.
This month, the Saskatoon Co-op announced it is donating $100,000 to the project.
Greve said while the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on many fundraising activities, it hasn’t completely stopped the flow of donations.
“Recently, the Dairy Queen restaurant, Red’s Liquor store and the Clothes Basket in Rosthern, each held fundraising events and donated the proceeds,” said Greve. “The DQ donated $713 from a collection pot at the till, Red’s held a barbecue and raised $1164, and the Clothes Basket donated a cheque in the amount of $3500.
“Even in hard times, it’s gratifying to see the generosity of the community come through.”
Greve said the new facility will help to reduce the congestion and wait times at Saskatoon hospital emergency departments.
Persons interested in making donations to the new hospital campaign fund are encouraged to make donations through the SVHF website (www.svhf.net) or through the Canada Helps charitable donations website (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/sask-valley-hospital-foundation-inc/).
Donors can also send money the old-fashioned way by mailing a cheque to: Sask Valley Hospital Foundation, Box 93, Rosthern, SK, S0K 3R0