Spirit Sands Medical Clinic officially opened

If you build it, they will come!

The Grand Opening event of the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic took place on September 11th, with perfect weather that allowed a large group of supporters to attend.

Among those in attendance were not only community members and several board members, but also, Treena Slate, Chief Executive Officer of Prairie Mountain Health, other members of the Prairie Mountain Health team, and Spruce Woods MLA Colleen Robbins.

The event began with Spirit Sands Clinic Board Chair Ron Jefferies expressing gratitude to everyone who came out, followed by introductions of the board members: Chairman: Ron Jefferies; Vice Chair: Alexis Einarson; Secretary: Brenda Tosh; Municipality of Glenboro South Cypress Representative: Dale Fisher; Municipality of Prairie Lakes Representative: Andrew Gillingham; Municipality of Prairie Lakes Representative: Armand Vallotton; Baldur Community Member: Roland Grenier; Glenboro and Area Elderly Persons Housing Inc. Representative: Loren Nelson; Glenboro and Area Elderly Persons Housing Inc. Representative: Wanda Dickie.
Ron shared the Board’s appreciation for the incredible support received from the Municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress and commended the Board members involved in making this project a reality.

Board Vice Chair Alexis Einarson took the mic next. She highlighted Chairman Ron Jefferies’ deep commitment to the project, along with his extensive background that made him well-suited for the position of Chairman. Alexis also noted that it took just 405 days from the groundbreaking ceremony to the opening of the Clinic – only 405 days!

This project started as an idea and grew into a full-fledged plan, thanks to many hours of meetings, research, and brainstorming. Now, the Spirit Sands Clinic is open and thriving, serving not only Glenboro but also surrounding communities.

Witnessing the ribbon-cutting ceremony was a monumental moment for all involved.

The first guest speaker, Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate, expressed her and her team’s pride, at the completion of such a significant project.

Spruce Woods MLA Colleen Robbins also spoke, commending everyone involved in the project, emphasizing the critical need for accessible healthcare.

Mayor Charles Radford addressed the crowd, thanking everyone who contributed to making this project happen, including the donors. “Build it, and they will come,” he quipped, referencing a famous quote from the movie “Field of Dreams”, where a mysterious, unseen voice speaks to Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella. “They have built it, and people are coming here!”

The ribbon-cutting officially marked the opening of the Clinic.

Alexis Einarson and Brenda Tosh held each end of the green ribbon, which was ceremoniously cut by Ron Jefferies.

World-renowned sculptor and artist Peter Sawatzky was also present to unveil an exciting gift to the Clinic and its patients: a spectacular life-sized statue of two African penguins. The statue is an absolutely perfect addition to the bright new waiting room. Reflecting on his experience studying these magnificent penguins, Peter commented, “There were hundreds of them nesting at the time, so you had to be careful not to get too close.”

Although most of us are unaware, this project has been in the works for many years.

According to the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic website, it was in 2016 that “a generous donation by the Verna Notman Estate was made to the Glenboro Health Auxiliary to manage the money to benefit health care in the community. A committee was established to deliberate on the allocation of the funds. Initially, the donation was invested, and the generated interest was utilized to acquire equipment for the Glenboro Health Facility.

In early 2022 the committee reconvened with community members, Glenboro Health Facility staff, and Prairie Mountain Health members to brainstorm ideas for the funds. Subsequently, 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.

In April 2022, the committee resolved to focus on preserving healthcare services in the community and allocating funds for a significant project. Therefore, the committee’s top priority was to increase clinic space to not only assist in recruiting new physicians but also make services easily accessible by patients, the community, and staff.

During the remainder of 2022 and through to 2023, the committee engaged in numerous communications and meetings with Prairie Mountain Health’s senior management. Because the current space is overcrowded, some staff share workspaces and work in rooms that lack proper ventilation and air conditioning. With no viable expansion opportunities on or within the current property, the team decided to build a new clinic.

By November 2023, the Medical Clinic committee members attended municipal council meetings in Argyle, Prairie Lakes, Victoria, and Oakland Wawanesa to inform each council of the project and to request their support. These councils supported the project and either appointed a representative and/or provided a letter of support.

April 29, 2025 the groundbreaking event took place at the site of the new Spirit Sands Medical Clinic. June 2025, construction started. June 8, 2026, the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic officially opened, 405 days after the groundbreaking event. September 11, the Grand Opening event was held.

Proud doesn’t even begin to describe how anyone feels about this project.

We are all so grateful to everyone who played a role, big or small, through volunteering, donating or working on this Clinic.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Brenda Tosh (left) and Alexis Einarson (right) held each end of the ribbon which was ceremoniously cut by chairperson Ron Jefferies.