Advocates for a new hospital in Rosthern are feeling encouraged in the wake of a high-level meeting with Premier Scott Moe and Minister of Rural and Remote Health Everett Hindley.
“We’re thinking optimistically,” said Rosthern Mayor Dennis Helmuth in an interview January 11. “We had a meeting with our MLA, who also happens to be the Premier of the province; and Minister Hindley, in late November.
“We had a great conversation with them and impressed upon them our readiness to proceed with this much-needed facility as soon as possible.”
The delegation advocating for the new hospital included elected officials from Rosthern and other communities in the Twin Rivers District, as well as members of the Sask Valley Hospital Foundation (SVHF). During the course of the meeting, the Premier and Minister toured both the existing 1950s-era hospital and the newly-built medical services clinic near the site prepared for the new hospital.
The November meeting was the latest, and most encouraging, in a series of in-person discussions that SVHF board members, municipal leaders, and medical staff of the Rosthern Hospital have had with Premier Moe and Minister Hindley on the issue.
A total of $6.3 million has so far been raised by the communities of Rosthern, Duck Lake, Laird, Waldheim, Hague, Hepburn, and surrounding RMs since a major campaign was begun several years ago to replace the aging Rosthern Hospital.
The communities have a fundraising goal of $8 million, or about 20% of the overall estimated price tag of $40 million for the proposed Sask Valley Hospital. The provincial government has already committed to funding 80% of the project, but has not yet approved the funds or given any timeline for when it will begin construction.
In addition to ongoing property tax levies in all the communities in the Twin Rivers District, continuing donations from individuals and businesses have steadily built up the bank account containing the communities’ share of the cost of a new hospital.
Helmuth said the Premier was impressed with the amount of money raised by the community, and noted that communities with designated levies are not hesitant about continuing those policies.
Helmuth said there has been a recent increase in the number of people seeking medical treatments in Rosthern.
“The catchment base is very large,” he said. “It’s not uncommon for people from Warman and Saskatoon to come here. We’ve even had patients at the clinic from as far away as Montreal Lake. It shows how important it is to have a modern, up-to-date facility that can handle the increased demand. As a community, we’re well-served by our health care professionals, but we’re also not immune to the increased pressures we’re seeing in communities across the country.”
RESERVOIR CAPACITY
Rosthern Town Council is hopeful that its latest application for federal and provincial infrastructure funding to replace its 56-year-old water treatment plant and increase its reservoir capacity will be approved this spring.
“We dusted off our previous application, updated it and resubmitted it for the current intake,” said Helmuth. “It would be nice to receive grant funding because it’s about a $15 million project.
But, he added, with so many communities needing upgrades to a wide range of facilities, the competition for infrastructure grants is tight.
“There are so many applicants,” he confirmed. “If we aren’t approved this time around, our council and administration will be seriously thinking about a Plan B.”
Helmuth said the immediate priority for the town is increased reservoir capacity to facilitate growth and ensure sufficient water for fire suppression purposes.
“Before we can get a new hospital or punch in 25 or 30 new houses, we need more water capacity,” he said. “The existing water treatment plant is able to handle the current reservoir capacity. But it will have to be upgraded to accommodate additional capacity.
“The most cost-efficient way is to do both projects at the same time. That would be ideal; but if grant money doesn’t come through, it may have to be built in phases.”
ARENA BUSY
Helmuth said the recent upgrades to the Rosthern arena have made a big difference for user groups. He noted the rink is always busy, with a large number of user groups from other communities, including Warman.
TIM HORTONS COMING
Helmuth said the business corridor along Highway 11 at the intersection with Highway 312 is attracting a healthy amount of patronage.
“A Tim Hortons restaurant has just gotten the go-ahead to be built a little south of the Dairy Queen restaurant,” he said. “That’s a positive development and I think it will prove popular with travellers.
“Everything is now in place for them to line up their time line for construction and opening day.”
He noted the reduced speed limit along Highway 11 in the vicinity of the Highway 312 junction has improved safety, but motorists are advised to use caution at all times.