Addition to Riverdale Health Centre opens
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- Published on Thursday, November 26, 2015
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
In four short months Horizon Builders of Brandon was able to complete a 1,500 square-foot addition on the east side of Riverdale Health Centre for their tender price of $621,168. While the work was done by mid-October, it took a month to plan an official opening, held on Thursday, Nov. 19. Area manager Greg Paddock welcomed everyone “to this tremendous space. Ten years ago this month we opened our [hip and knee] rehab,;what a way to celebrate that anniversary! We admit 100-150 people each year; we’ve had 1,400 patients in 10 years. On behalf of the staff and our patients, I would like to thank all those involved in putting this together.” He then asked Penny Gilson to say a few words.
She is the chief executive officer of Prairie Mountain Health, the regional authority responsible for this facility. In addition to her own unscripted speech, she read a letter from Minister of Health, Sharon Blady, who wrote about the “wonderful addition. I am pleased to recognize the community for its unwavering support of this project, as well as Rivers Health Action Committee (HAC) for providing almost 50 per cent of the costs. Congratulations on the grand opening of this new addition.”
Gilson then “acknowledged the many years of work by community members. Day in and day out, we hear nothing but positive comments about the service here. Rivers HAC was very vocal of the needs here; I’d like to thank Rivers HAC and Riverdale Health Services District Foundation for the very sizeable donations to this space, and thanks to all who played a part in bringing this to fruition.”
Gary Pomeroy is chairman of both HAC and RHSD Foundation; he explained it was HAC that “proposed the addition for group dining, exercises and activities. Manitoba Health, Riverdale Municipality, Riverdale District Health Auxiliary and the former RM of Blanshard were major contributors, but thanks to all our donors. Thanks also to Prairie Mountain Health’s project team and our current HAC executive, Suzan Ramsey, Ken Tait and Gord McFadden.”
In less than 10 minutes, the ribbon was cut and black forest cake was served to approximately 40 citizens and a number of staff. Community members from Cardale, Bradwardine, Rapid City and Oak River travelled to Rivers for the celebration, which was also witnessed by a few Riverdale Personal Care Home residents.
