With the planning phase for a new regional hospital in Rosthern now underway, community fundraising to help build and equip the facility is gathering fresh momentum.
“Getting the official green light from the provincial government last month was a huge boost to everyone,” said Rosthern Mayor Dennis Helmuth. “It really was very encouraging news. We’ve been lobbying and fundraising for about 13 years, but now the campaign will carry on with renewed motivation.”
The proposed Sask Valley Hospital, which will replace the 73-year-old Rosthern Hospital, was one of three health care facilities approved by the provincial government in the March 22 budget. A total of $2.6 million was allocated by the province for the planning of a new hospital in Rosthern, an integrated care facility in Esterhazy and the Battleford and District Care Centre.
The planning phase, which could take up to two years, involves determining the design and function of the new hospital, including the type of services to be provided. Final approval of the plans rests with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). Helmuth said the most optimistic projection from the SHA is that construction could begin in three years and the facility could open its doors in five years.
Helmuth said the town of Rosthern has already set aside serviced land for the hospital, but noted the SHA and the province still need to confirm the location is suitable.
“We’re in a very good position in terms of physical infrastructure readiness,” he said. “As a municipality, we certainly did our due diligence in selecting the site and working with the engineers. We looked at several different options and the site we selected was definitely the best one.”
The estimated cost of the new hospital is about $40 million, but Helmuth notes costs are rising quickly because of inflationary pressures. Municipalities in the Twin Rivers Development District, which will be served by the facility, are responsible for raising 20 per cent of the overall construction cost. The Twin Rivers District includes: Rosthern, Duck Lake, Hague, Hepburn, Laird, Waldheim, RM of Duck Lake, RM of Laird and RM of Rosthern.
Helmuth said getting official approval for the new hospital in this year’s budget was great news for not just Rosthern, but all the communities in the Twin Rivers area. Ratepayers have been contributing funds to a special reserve for the new hospital through municipal property tax levies for several years. In addition, fundraising events by the Sask Valley Hospital Foundation (SVHF) and community groups over the years have helped bring the total amount raised so far to over $4.5 million.
“Now that we’ve got the green light, that should provide more encouragement to people to donate,” said Helmuth. “In the past, many folks had indicated they were prepared to open their wallets, but they wanted assurance the project was going to proceed first.
“The bottom line is that we need to come up with 20 per cent of the cost, and that’s still quite a lot of money to raise over the next few years.”
The Rosthern Lions Club, meanwhile, has marked a major milestone in its fundraising campaign to purchase furniture and equipment for the new hospital. The club exceeded its target $100,000 with a ‘Pasta Night’ event at St. Odilon’s Catholic Church Hall on Saturday, April 15.
Rosthern Lions Club President Nelson Lopez said over the past couple years, the service club raised about $85,000. The April 15 event, which included both a live and silent auction, pushed the total amount above the $100,000 mark. Lopez said several generous donations by Lions Club members, local businesses, and community donors helped make it a success.
“We’re not sure at this point how much we made last weekend, it could be in the $30,000 range; but we definitely broke the $100,000 mark,” said Lopez. “Our commitment is not for the hospital building itself, but for the beds, furniture, x-ray machines and other equipment they’ll need once it’s built. There will be a need for furniture for waiting areas, for desks and chairs for the nurses’ stations, things like that.”
Lopez said the club will continue to raise funds for the new hospital and other projects that benefit the community.
“This is an ongoing thing for us,” said Lopez. “There is no shortage of good causes that we raise money for. We’ve donated to the skating rink, the curling rink, the swimming pool and the playground in the park beside the pool. We also provide funds for people that have to travel outside the community or the province for medical treatment.”
Lopez said membership in the Rosthern Lions Club is not limited to residents of Rosthern. “We welcome everyone,” he said.