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NOVEMBER 4, 2013
See Tuesday for the Brawl to Settle It All! > The full story of the Mercandelli/Bridge Charity Boxing Challenge tomorrow
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Vol. 61, Issue 214
www.dailytownsman.com
COURTESY EVAN BUECKERT
The Mount Baker Tour Choir (pictured here), along with the other five MBSS performing ensembles, are getting set for the Music Department’s first concert of the year at the Key City Theatre on Tuesday, November 5. The Choir is also preparing for a tour to Vienna and Prague at the end of this month, representing Canada at an International Choir Festival. See full story, Page 4.
Cranbrook Council backs Design of new ward revealed Interior Health will soon seek a general contractor for new $10 a day for childcare Intensive Care Unit at East Kootenay Regional Hospital A RNE PE TRYSHEN
Cranbrook City Council has backed a resolution that calls for $10 a day childcare in the province. The resolution was brought forward in the Oct. 21 regular meeting by Coun. Sharon Cross. “This plan would put 17,189 more women into the workforce and the province would collect $667 million more in taxes,” Cross said. Cross then read the resolution: “Whereas the lack of childcare in the Cranbrook area means that people are turning away local jobs and not living here or they are having to
leave the area, which is an economic barrier for businesses and services in our community; and whereas the $10 a day childcare plan offers a concrete solution to the childcare crisis facing B.C. families; be it therefore resolved that the City of Cranbrook endorse the community plan for a public system of integrated Early Care and Learning.” The $10 a day program is proposed by the Coalition of Childcare Advocates of B.C. and the Early Childhood Educators of B.C.
See COUNCIL , Page 3
SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
Interior Health has unveiled its design for a new ward that will soon be attached to Cranbrook’s hospital. The new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be about 8,500 square feet and contain six patient rooms. The nurses’ station will be in the centre of the ward. Family spaces will line one side of the ward. “We will integrate some family spaces so that they can meet with physicians in a private and comfortable setting,” Interior Health’s
Todd Mastel told the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) board on Friday, Nov. 1. Large windows in the new ICU will maximize natural light. “We are really trying to maximize the natural light available as well versus the lack of light we currently have in our ICU.” Intensive Care is where the sickest patients are treated. Currently, the hospital has a small, cramped four-bed ICU. The new ICU will be built onto the southern side of the hospital, beside the mobile MRI unit.
“An incredible amount of dedication and effort went into to making this project a reality and it is rewarding for the community to have the opportunity to get a look at what the new intensive care unit will actually look like once complete,” said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. “The new ICU will not only increase capacity, but the design will incorporate a number of features that will benefit patients, their families and staff at the hospital.”
See DESIGN , Page 3
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