An gap analysis and economic impact study on the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital is slated to be complete by the end of the summer. The Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce is taking the lead on the study and is looking for community stakeholders to pitch in the approximately $65,000 and they have an ask of the city to pitch in one third of that. Second Vice-Chair of the Chamber Cris Seppola-Podsada explains that a plan like this works for everyone involved.
“What these studies do is they ensure that we can plan ahead for whatever needs we may have when the hospital opens. This may be patients, staff, visitors, how can we support them when they are not on those hospital grounds”
Although the Chamber is taking the lead, other organizations included are the City of Grande Prairie Economic Development Department, the County of Grande Prairie Economic Development Department, the M.D. of Greenview GPRC, Northern Alberta Development Council, Grande Prairie Regional College Foundation, and Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation. Second Vice Chair says having stakeholders involved will ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be part of the plan for the hospital.
“I think that by putting a plan like this together, both the gap analysis and the economic impact study, we are really able to determine what opportunities will be available for our community as well as our 1,300 Chamber members.”
The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital is set to open up in 2019.
