After deciding to move ahead with the facility earlier this year, the G5 Medical Clinic Committee is ready to lay out the architectural design of a new regional clinic in Spirit River. Clinic Development Coordinator Jim Squire says while they’d like to start construction this fall, the amount of work that will go into design may mean next spring is more likely.
“It will take a little time to do the design, simply because what we intend to do is actually have the architects sit down with the medical professionals and involve them in the consultations on the final design. It’s so important to have the facility be something that fits the needs not just of the community, but also the medical professionals.”
They include five more doctors, up to two more doctors, and other possibly other specialists like chiropractors, mental health services, acupuncture and physiotherapy. The 10,500 to 11,500 square foot building will also be well located.
“We will be immediately adjacent to both the hospital and the existing medical clinic. The land that we actually have been going through the process of purchasing was residential property within the Town of Spirit River, and so there are some structure that will need to be removed.
The Town of Spirit River, along with the MD, Birch Hill County, Rycroft and Saddle Hills County have come up with $4 million towards the project so far, as it doesn’t not have provincial funding.