The proposed Chetwynd health clinic (rendering) will help attract new physicians to the community and support local job creation
Northern Development Initiative Trust’s board of directors has approved a $250,000 grant for a new Medical Health Clinic and Community Wellness Centre in the District of Chetwynd.
The decision allows the District, which will own the clinic, to move forward to secure additional funding to improve healthcare services for Chetwynd residents. The project will also help attract new physicians to the community, which will incent further investment in Chetwynd that supports local economic development and job creation. The proposed facility, a $1.4 million project that, if built, would be the only clinic of its kind in Chetwynd, would help the community attract and retain doctors, improving access to medical services for residents and decreasing patient wait times.
The clinic would be located on District-owned lands and house medical offices, exam rooms and a waiting and reception area. A community wellness centre would be co-located in a general space at the clinic, where health education, group learning and outpatient services could also be conducted. Some mental health services and public health services would also be relocated to the new clinic from their current locations at the Chetwynd Hospital.
Chetwynd’s four physicians currently operate from an aged, inefficient building that is poorly laid out for medical purposes, and does not allow the physicians to effectively deliver services to residents. The current clinic not only makes it difficult for the community to attract new physicians, but also reduces overall investment interest from the private sector. The funding is the Trust’s maximum allowable grant from its Economic Diversification Infrastructure program, and is subject to confirmation of other funding sources. The District has committed to contributing an additional $100,000 toward the project, and is looking to borrow the remaining funding needed for the project from the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA).
Quotes
“This funding will help Chetwynd attract and retain new physicians that will not only improve healthcare services in the community, but also make the community more attractive to new families and investors,” said Evan Saugstad, Chair, Northern Development Initiative Trust.
Mayor Merlin Nichols made the following comments: “Chetwynd’s proposed Medical Clinic and Wellness Centre was given a major and much-hoped-for step up with the generous donation of $250,000 from Northern Development Initiative Trust. We accept the donation with gratitude and thanks and see it as a positive endorsement by Northern Development of our effort to bring secure, long-term medical care to our community. It is also a pleasure to be able to acknowledge the active support of Northern Health and the resident physicians and the growing interest a number of other industries and organizations are showing for this project.”
“A new medical building accommodating more than four physicians and also functioning as a multidisciplinary clinic has always been my dream. To hear the news that this will become a reality was beyond my expectations. We should give the District of Chetwynd and each individual who worked so hard on this project a huge amount of credit for their proactive and problem solving thinking. This is a huge benefit for the community of Chetwynd and a much needed tool for attracting new physicians,” said Doctor Anton Venter, head Physician.
Health Services Committee Chair Ernest Pfanner made the following statement: “We are really pleased with the grant from Northern Development Initiative Trust. This gives us the boost we require to get the Medical Clinic and Wellness Centre started as soon as possible. We hope that this will spur additional interest in donations from the private sector to help us build our much-needed Clinic. Thanks again to NDIT for recognizing our community needs and addressing them so quickly.”
Quick Facts
• The $1.4 million clinic will incent private investment and support local job creation in Chetwynd
• The clinic will be the only one of its kind in Chetwynd
• The clinic will make it easier for Chetwynd to attract and retain physicians
• The clinic will support improved healthcare service delivery and shorten wait times for patients
• The clinic would be located on District-owned lands and house medical offices, exam rooms and a waiting and reception area.
• The Trust’s $250,000 grant is subject to confirmation of other funding sources
Contact
Joel McKay
Director, Communications
Northern Development Initiative Trust
joel@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
Phone: 250-561-2525
