Hospital ER upgrade to proceed

By BRIAN GEIS
Pioneer Staff

Just in time to be included in the Kootenay East Regional hospital District's 2009 annual budget, BC Minister of HEalth George Abbott gave the nod to the much-needed and long-sought $4.5 million renovation of Invermere Hospital's emergency department.

Although a formal announcement won't come until April when the design phase of the project is complete, Mr. Abbott told the legislative assembly, "I think the people of Invermere can be very confident that this project will be moving forward."

Responding to questions posed by Columbia River - Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald in the afternoon sitting of the legislature on February 25th, Mr. Abbott said, "The announcement will be made at an appropriate time, when all issues are resolved. But (the people of Invermere) can be confident, given the priority given to this and the investment made on planning for it, that it will go ahead at an appropriate point."

Hoping to send the message back to the ministry that the people of the East Kootenay are committed to the project, the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board, on Friday, included in its 2009 fiscal plan the potential to borrow $1.76 million to help fund the project.

"The upgrades to the emergency room at the Invermere Hospital are a top priority for both the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District and Interior Health," board chair John Kettle commented. "We hope by making this financial commitment in our budget that it sends a strong message to the Ministry of Health and the residents of the Columbia Valley what we are committed to seeing this project happen."

MLA Macdonald said the commitment made by the Minister of Health to move forward with the upgrade to the Invermere Hospital emergency room results entirely from the efforts of the people of Invermere. Doctors, patients and local politicians have all been active in raising the issue.

"It is through effective representation and the willingness of residents to fight for what is right that decisions are made to benefit communities," Mr. Macdonald commented. "Without that work, it would have been too easy for this government to ignore the need here in the Columbia Valley."

Mr. Macdonald is encouraging people to keep the pressure on by writing letters and signing the petition currently circulating through the valley urging the Ministry of Health to allocate the funds.

"We will hold the minister to his word and will be watching for the announcement in April," he said.

District of Invermere Mayor Gerry Taft applauded the move by the hospital board and thanked the people of the East Kootenay for their support of the project.

"This has got nothing to do with partisan politics," he said. "Some real work and efforts have been put in by our MLA Norm Macdonald and also Mark McKee, the Liberal candidate. Both individuals through different means have been making lots of phone calls and putting a lot of effort in. We've also had the support of John Kettle, the chair of the hospital board, and also Interior Health has been very supportive. Not only is it the top priority in this area, it's one of Interior Health's top priorities in the entire region."