By TERRY PUGH
The provincial government has confirmed a site on the southwest edge of Rosthern for a new acute care facility to replace the 72-year-old Rosthern Hospital.
A sign marking the location was unveiled on Friday, September 13. A large crowd of residents, the majority of whom have been working to raise funds for the new hospital for the past decade, were on hand for the unveiling.
The location for the new hospital did not come as a surprise.
The land has been earmarked for a new hospital for several years. The Town of Rosthern purchased 94 acres of land on its southwestern edge in 2020 at a cost of $300,000. A portion of the land was specifically set aside for the proposed hospital, and the town invested $1.1 million in a paved road and underground services to the site at that time.
The new acute care facility project is a partnership between the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement, the Ministry of Health, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Town of Rosthern and foundations including the Rosthern Hospital Foundation and the Sask Valley Hospital Foundation. The project also engages the Twin River Planning District and the Rural Municipality of Laird.
The confirmation of the new hospital site underscored the provincial government’s commitment to the new hospital. Last year, the province allocated $250,000 toward the planning process for the new facility.
“I am excited to see this project moving forward after close work with the community and local leaders,” Premier Scott Moe said. “Our government remains committed to building strong, healthy communities by ensuring Saskatchewan residents have greater access to critical infrastructure close to home, now and for generations to come.”
“We are very pleased to announce the location for the new Rosthern Acute Care Centre,” SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Terry Jenson said. “This new facility will serve the residents of Rosthern and region for generations to come. Our ability as a government to be able to build critical health infrastructure across Saskatchewan is only possible thanks to our strong and growing economy.”
Jenson said the next steps for the project include a needs assessment by the Ministry of Sask Builds and Procurement.
“After that a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued, and after that it goes into the design stage,” said Jenson. “Within that design stage there will be collaboration with the community and stakeholders on what the facility will look like and what services will be offered. When the needs assessment happens that will determine to a large extent if there’s going to be additional services.”
Jenson said the time line for construction of the project depends on the outcome of the needs assessment process.
“However, we know the community has been waiting a long time for this and we’re going to try and get it done as soon as we can, keeping in mind that we want it done properly,” said Jenson.
Despite not having a firm date for the start of construction, Rosthern Mayor Dennis Helmuth was all smiles at the announcement September 13.
“This is a great day for our community and for the region,” said Helmuth during a rain-soaked press conference at the site. “It’s not a bad thing to have a little mud on our boots, because this is a construction site to be forthcoming shortly.”
Helmuth said the new facility will bring improved health care services to not only the town of Rosthern, but all the communities in the Twin Rivers district including Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation and One Arrow First Nation.
Helmuth said the new hospital will be the fifth in the history of the community. The existing Rosthern Hospital, built in 1952, cost $172,000 and was cost-shared by the province and several municipalities in the region. The health care professionals in the existing hospital have always provided excellent care to patients, and continue to do so, he said, adding the new facility will allow them to provide additional services and encourage new models of health care delivery.
“We can take inspiration from our history,” said Helmuth. “With each new hospital, there were challenges, and there will be with this one. There are still daunting practical and financial obstacles; but with leadership from our provincial partners, the Ministry of Health and Saskatchewan Health Authority; and continued fundraising through our municipal partners and our citizens, I’m confident our goals will become a reality soon.
“Our new carefully-designed hospital will bring better and more efficient health care outcomes to those needing hospital care.”
Sask Valley Hospital Foundation Administrator Guylaine Green said the September 13 announcement “marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide exceptional health care services to the people of the region,” adding that eight municipalities have been contributing toward the hospital through tax levies since 2015. As of August 31, 2024, she said a total of just over $7.2 million has been raised for the municipal share of the project. Municipalities are responsible for 20 per cent of the total cost.
Retired Rosthern physician Dr. Don Grieve, a long-time proponent for a new hospital, said he’s pleased with the “solid commitment” of the government, noting the hospital is another step closer to reality and the new sign will encourage donations .
“We’re pushing hard and it makes a difference in our donations,” said Grieve. “We’re a pretty persistent bunch, and we’re staying focused until the project is completed. I’ll continue to push Scott to get those shovels in the ground, but we’re very pleased with what’s happening.”
Rural and Remote Health Minister Tim McLeod said accessible health care for all Saskatchewan residents is a top priority a priority for the provincial government, adding the new facility will address the infrastructure and clinical challenges at the existing space, as well as the future needs of the region.
Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Andrew Will said the new hospital is more than just a building.
“It represents our commitment to enhancing the care provided by our dedicated health care teams to residents of Rosthern and the surrounding region,” said Will. “Together with our provincial, municipal, community, and foundation partners, we are excited to see progress on this important project that will serve the needs of this growing community and region.”