A new building opened in our town last week. Normally, that would be a cause for rejoicing. This opening, however, was met with mixed emotions.
The building opened was the Wellness Centre attached to our long-term care home. The opening was a long time coming and fraught with controversy.
Our hospital was one of the 52 rural hospital casualties in the first throes of health reform some four years ago.
First came the battle to save the hospital. We lost that battle.
The next battle was to save the building. A committee was formed to have the new integrated health facility which the community was promised built on the hospital site. The health department and the district health board wanted it at the Lodge location. Despite a valiant try, another battle was lost.
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A very small audience attended the official opening of the new Wellness Centre.
Part of it may be attributed to the fact that the ceremonies were held outside in below-zero temperatures.
But not all.
It was significant that the mayor was the only member of the town council to be present.
It was significant that no members of the rural municipal councils which funded the old hospital were present, and that there were very few former hospital or lodge board members in the audience.
Our mayor, in his remarks, said that he hadn’t known what to say on behalf of the people he represents.
He referred to the deep feelings of people on both sides of the health centre controversy and ended by saying that, now the new centre is a fact, we must all accept and hope for the best possible health care for all.
Our MLA echoed his words.
They were right.
The fight was well fought. Personally, and I know I am not alone, I still believe that the integrated facility is in the wrong place.
But it is there, it is operating.
It is time to let the past rest, to get on with the future.
Part of that future is to support the committee working to find a new role in the community for the former hospital building.
Plans are well along for a personal care home in that facility.
There is still much to be done; some people on the district health board to be won over. This is our third battle. This one we can’t afford to lose.
