Vol. 103 No. 29
MONDAY, JULY 16, 2012
Biggar, Saskatchewan
www.biggarindependent.ca
20 pages
$
1.25 tax included
Hear tland Health Region awards tender for Biggar Long Term Care replacement Heartland Health Region has received approval to award the tender for the construction of the Biggar Long Term Care Replacement project to EllisDon Construction. “EllisDon is excited to continue its partnership with Heartland Health Region as the selected general contractor for the Biggar and District Health Center, which is in addition to the Kerrobert and District Health Centre project where construction is already underway,” Jason Sheldrick, Area Manager of Saskatchewan advised, “A s o n e o f C a n a d a ’s largest general contracting, construction and project management firms, we believe our multi-disciplined team of professionals and our long history of delivering successful healthcare projects of various sizes across Canada will greatly assist the Heartland Health Region in fulfilling its mandate of providing an enduring health system and serving the needs of the community.” EllisDon has completed more than 190 healthcare projects of various sizes in the past 20 years across Canada, and look forward to continued success with our partners at the Heartland Health Region on the Biggar and District Health Center. The Biggar Advisory Committee has worked hard to move the project f o r wa r d t h r o u g h t h e various approval stages in partnership with the region and the Ministry of Health. All levels worked through design and funding issues to get the best value for the available funding and to ensure that a safe, home-like atmosphere for our residents won’t be compromised. Construction is expected to begin in the near future and is expected to take approximately 1 1/2 years
to complete. EllisDon plans to move equipment to the site in August. Biggar mayor Ray Sadler said, “The residents of Biggar and area will soon realize the construction of a new nursing home in Biggar thanks to the funding partners which include the Province of Saskatchewan, the Town of Biggar, the R.M. of Biggar, the R.M. of Grandview, the R.M. of Rosemont and the Village of Landis. A special thank you to the Friends of the Lodge who have dedicated their time and effort to fundraise for the furnishing and equipment at the new Diamond Lodge.” The building design calls for 54 long term care beds. The project has an estimated all up cost of approximately 23.5 million dollars The Heartland Health Region sincerely appreciates the support they’ve received from the local community funding groups. Projects like these would not be possible without foresight, commitment, and cooperation from these dedicated people. A sod turning for the project will be held in the coming months.
CanAm Bowl brings out crowds: Organizers may have wondered whether many would come out to watch the game but when game time came on Saturday, July 8 there were a number of people in attendance to watch the
annual game between the United States and Canada. It was a good game but the final score had the US team come out ahead 50-46. (Independent photo by Daryl Hasein)
Singer, Sadler discuss rural health care issues with Minister The appointment as the project which brings the Minister of Rural Health province’s total contribution has kept Biggar MLA Randy to $215.5 million. Weekes busy the Weekes spent the afternoon in past few months as Biggar meeting he has been touring with physicians health facilities in and listening to rural Saskatchewan, their concerns meeting with about health care stakeholders and and touching on listening to concerns. Last Thursday, Randy Weekes the need for more doctors in rural We e k e s w a s i n Saskatoon with Health Saskatchewan. He also Minister Dustin Duncan met with Louise Singer, where the design for Reeve, RM of Biggar and the Children’s Hospital Mayor Ray Sadler and other was unveiled as well as stakeholders and getting additional funding. Duncan their views about health announced additional care. funding of $15.5 million for
“We are fortunate to have a third doctor in Biggar,” Weekes said. “Biggar is in a good position.” Heartland Health has just announced the awarding of the tender for the construction of the new long term care r e p l a c e m e n t f a c i l i t y. EllisDon Construction will be starting construction in August and is looking at approximately one and a half years for completion. As well, there are renovations taking place at Biggar Hospital. Later in the afternoon We e k e s w a s o f f t o
Kerrobert to tour meet with stakeholders there and noted that Kerrobert is also busy building an integrated facility in that community. Weekes will continue his outreach tour of rural communities in the weeks and months to follow. There are various health care models across the province that show a lot of promise. In addition, the Minister will be travelling to Nova Scotia to take a look at health care delivery in remote areas. That province has been very innovative in striking a team approach
with every level of providers from RNs to paramedics becoming involved in delivering health care services. The challenge lies in getting doctors to come to rural Saskatchewan. Weekes stresses it is important for communities to work with health regions and other stakeholders in recruiting doctors. He notes rural Saskatchewan has a lot to offer. “There are lots of good things happening in rural Saskatchewan,” Weekes said.