Sod has been turned for the new Estevan Regional Nursing Home in a ceremony this morning hosted by Estevan MLA Lori Carr.
Delegates at the event also included Councilor Shelley Veroba, representing the city, and Don Kindopp, the chair of the New Estevan Regional Nursing Home Committee.
Carr says that more work needs to be done, and she'll be making sure that's going as quickly as she can.
"Today is a very exciting milestone being able to point out the site where the new regional nursing home is going to be located, further steps we'll start into our detailed design phase and that will help us determine exactly what that facility is going to look like and how it's going to be laid out. Working with SaskBuilds and procurement, as well as the local committee to get the input of what we would like."
"I am pleased to see the approval of this key step for the new Estevan Long-Term Care Home so we can move forward with this important project for the community,” said Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Tim McLeod in a coinciding release. “Our government is investing in health infrastructure, and keeping our commitment, to improve access to the care residents need closer to home.”
Carr says that an exact time is hard to pin down currently, as design work is beginning shortly.
The province will continue to work with the committee on those designs through a pair of ministries.
"It will be the committee and Saskbuilds working together, and obviously the Ministry of Health as to what that facility will look like. My job will just be to ensure that the timelines keep moving, that progress is being made, and that if things are stalling for whatever reason, I find out what that is and try to ensure that we get this moving as quickly as possible."
"Our government is pleased to announce the site and scope of the Estevan Long-Term Care Home," said SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Terry Jenson. "This modern and leading-edge health care facility will enhance the quality of life for seniors while creating lasting benefits for the Estevan community."
Carr says getting the nursing home built will be a priority for them in the coming years.
"Our government is really committed to capital builds within the province and we have many, many demands. So fighting for these dollars and this facility for the city of Estevan and surrounding area, you can imagine the demands that we have and the government of Saskatchewan saw the importance of this."
In addition, Carr says that as the city donated the land that will be the new nursing home, SaskBuilds will be looking at the value of that donation.
"Well, the city of Estevan has committed to providing the land for this facility. So they will work with SaskBuilds procurement on determining probably a value for that. And what that looks like as far as the contribution."