by Gayle Johnson
GAZETTE STAFF
The icy spring wind didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd who came out to witness the ground-breaking ceremony held April 29th for the new Spirit Sands Medical Clinic.
This day has been coming for a long time!
According to the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic website, in 2022 when “a Medical Clinic Committee was established, composed of representatives from the Glenboro Health Auxiliary, the Glenboro Elderly Persons Housing Corporation, the Glenboro Health Action Committee, the Glenboro Area Foundation Inc. and the Municipality of Glenboro South Cypress,” it was resolved that the Committee would focus on preserving healthcare services in the community.
Here we are, just three short years later, standing at the site where the new Spirit Sands Medical Clinic will soon be built.
Alexis Einarson, Vice Chair of the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic Board, started the ceremony with the introductions of Treena Slate the Prairie Mountain Health, Chief Executive Officer, and Debbie Poole from Prairie Mountain Health Regional Clinical Planning, adding they were both key in the forward momentum of this project, stating that Debbie, “was an integral participant from the beginning stages of the decision making with the Glenboro Health Auxiliary. She met with Health Auxiliary multiple times when we were looking for a productive way to use the Notman money.”
Alexis went on to say, “Prairie Mountain Health has been extremely helpful. We would like to thank them for all their help and their continued help along the way.”
Alexis next introduced the current Clinic staff.
“Where would we be without the practitioners in our Clinic? We are thankful they have chosen Glenboro to be their home and to practice here. It is so nice to know that the ER is again open on a shared basis with Carberry.
“Our practitioners that we have here today are Dr. Tais Pujol and Brittany Vrooman, our Nurse Practitioner.”
(Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, Dr. Banafsheh SalimArouny was unable to attend.)
Alexis also gave a shout out to Alicia Vertz, saying, “No clinic is without cheerful front-line staff answering phones and making appointments. Thank you very much, Alicia.”
Alexis also graciously thanked “the newspaper reps for all their support and reporting over the past year and a half.”
Treeena Slate then shared a few words with the crowd.
“It is a true honour to be here in Glenboro today as we celebrate the official sod turning at the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic. In seven months, this community raised that money; that’s just tremendous. This is a proud and inspiring day for Glenboro and the surrounding area. A day that reflects the strength, unity and determination of this community. This project wasn’t just planned in boardrooms. It was built on local vision, community fundraising and the shared belief that everyone deserves access to quality care close to home. The Spirit Sands Medical Clinic is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together. The people of Glenboro have not just invested in a building; you have invested in the health, well-being and future of your families, neighbours and generations to come. As a health region, we are deeply grateful to be your partners in this journey. Together, we are creating a space that will attract healthcare professionals, support local families and ensure sustainable care in rural Manitoba. To all the community leaders, volunteers, donors and residents who made this day possible, thank you. Your commitment is the foundation of this clinic and today we proudly turn the first sod toward a healthier future.
Congratulations, Glenboro.”
Ron Jefferies, Chairman of the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic, also addressed the crowd, welcoming everyone in attendance before sharing the following:
“It was in 2022, with the seed money from the Notman Estate, that the plans started for this clinic that will soon be built. This is a project that the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic Board is very passionate about; if the financial support that we have received is any indication, so are you, the citizens of our communities. I would like to take a moment to update our financial picture. A large portion of the tenders for the project have been accepted, and although there are still a significant amount of unknowns, I am very optimistic that the project will come in under budget.
“The building committee, led by Rolly Grenier, have done an outstanding job keeping costs under control, in an environment where costs can easily get out of control. While doing this, they are still building an extremely high-quality building. The Clinic will have a steel roof, stucco and stone walls, a paved parking lot and much more. Today, we have $1.4 million in the bank, with a significant amount of money that has been committed to the project but not yet received.
“I think it is important to note that 100% of these funds have come from local businesses and the people.
“Speaking of the people, when you are building a structure with public money to be used by the public it is always a challenge to get the ownership right. After working with our RM, and local lawyers, our committee has decided that the lot will be owned by the RM of Glenboro-South Cypress, and the building will be owned by the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic and be operated by Spirit Sands Medical Clinic.
“Our donations to the project have been both big and small, and from all walks of life. The list is too long to read, but it is available on our website, and will be permanently displayed in the waiting room of the Clinic. So, to everyone who has donated to the project, a huge thank you.
“It is absolutely amazing what you can accomplish when everybody works together. There have been so many people contributing to this project that I don’t want to mention names, but I do think it is important to recognize one of our partners, the RM of Glenboro-South Cypress. Support from the RM has come from many different sources. It has come firstly from the council, secondly from the office staff, thirdly from the maintenance staff and of course financially. Without their support right from the beginning, this project would have been a lot more difficult. The Spirit Sands Medical Clinic Board and all the subcommittees that we have had, have poured hours and hours of volunteer time into making this project a reality and not just a dream.
“To the volunteers, you are not done, but actually just beginning, and to them we must say a huge thank you.
“Thank you all for coming and we will see you back in a year for the grand opening.”
With that, Ron Jefferies, Alexis Einerson and Brenda Tosh, Spirit Sands Medical Clinic Secretary, gathered for a group photo of the official sod turning, celebrating the next step of this project.
Update:
Within days of the sod turning, heavy equipment was onsite and digging had commenced, and if the weather permits, cement could be poured as early as mid May.
We will be bringing our readers periodic updates on the progress of this project!
