ESTEVAN - The new effort to build a new nursing home in Estevan has taken another step forward.
The new nursing home committee held a meeting with the provincial government in mid-May, with most members of the committee in attendance.
At that time, the committee was told the provincial government is looking for consultants to provide project management and advisory services to complete a needs assessment for Estevan.
The nursing home committee had a needs assessment completed a few years ago that looked at where the nursing home should be located, how it should be designed and numerous other factors.
“We talked to all of the stakeholders, and we did have many discussions over potential issues. We talked to different builders,” said Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig, who is part of the new nursing home committee.
“We did get a lot of feedback over this interim while we were waiting for the province to approve the nursing home, but this here … with the RFP [request for proposals], we do see light at the end of the tunnel, and we’re hopeful that this will mean after the RFP, that we will actually be carrying through and coming up with a game plan to bring this nursing home to fruition.”
Because the province is in charge of this needs assessment, and this is the approach they want to take, the new nursing home committee hopes they will get input. The assessment will have milestones set in place along with an action plan.
“The project administration will be involved. The project costs, including consultants. Now with this moving forward, hopefully it will be broad and all-encompassing, and with the committee’s input, we will come out here with an action plan, hopefully with definitive dates, and we’ll see where that goes,” said Ludwig.
Ludwig noted the committee has been assured it will have input throughout the process, as they have looked at a number of different scenarios while they’ve been patiently waiting for the government to move forward.
“The committee feels that we do have valuable input, and hopefully that will be allowed,” said Ludwig.
He expects there could be some similar findings as the previous needs assessment, but with the province as the lead, they will be footing the bill.
Now it’s just a matter of waiting for the findings. And they will continue to press Estevan MLA Lori Carr and the provincial government on the project.
“I know she wants to be involved, and I believe with her help and guidance, that we can see this project to its completion,” said Ludwig.
The provincial budget released earlier this year included $600,000 to continue early planning and a needs assessment for the replacement of the Estevan and Watson long-term care facilities, as well as the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.
Last year the government committed $275,000 for the planning of a new long-term care facility in Estevan.
The new nursing home committee has had the necessary funds in place for the project to proceed since 2015.
“It’s been a long haul,” said Ludwig.
