19 hours Ago By By Michele McDougall
GLENBORO — The power of fundraising has paid off for the Municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress, says Ron Jefferies, the chair of a committee that has raised almost $1.4 million to start construction on the new Spirit Sands Medical Clinic. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
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99 a X percent off the regular rate. GLENBORO — The power of fundraising has paid off for the Municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress, says Ron Jefferies, the chair of a committee that has raised almost $1.4 million to start construction on the new Spirit Sands Medical Clinic.
Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? GLENBORO — The power of fundraising has paid off for the Municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress, says Ron Jefferies, the chair of a committee that has raised almost $1.4 million to start construction on the new Spirit Sands Medical Clinic. “One hundred per cent of the funds came from local people and businesses.
No government, no regional health authority — it was all local people,” Jefferies said with a ceremonial shovel in his hand during a ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday afternoon. “Our goal is $2.5 million, and we’re still pretty certain that we’ll come in under budget.
” Ron Jefferies (centre), chair of the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic committee, shares a laugh with Brenda Tosh (left) and Alexis Einarson of the Glenboro Health Auxiliary during a ground-breaking ceremony on the site of the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic on Tuesday. (Michele McDougall/The Brandon Sun) Jefferies and two members of the Glenboro Health Auxiliary “did the honours,” as he put it, as they dug in on the future site of the new clinic. Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate was among the 100 community members who gathered and applauded.
“The community is going to build and operate this clinic, but we are going to be providing support in terms of planning the building and making sure it’s functional for the physicians who are part of it,” Slate told the Sun. “We always suggest to communities when they’re wanting to engage in projects such as this, to network with others who’ve done similar projects, which Glenboro did. And we help make those connections as well.
It’s really just collaborating and helping them along the way,” she said. “We’ve not really been providing a lot of guidance, just providing support and ensuring that what they build will service the community well, for years to come.” Alexis Einarson, president of the Glenboro Health Auxiliary, told the Sun after the ceremony, “We’re not there yet, but we’re well on our way.
” She added: “We need this in our community. We service Wawanesa, Holland, Souris, Baldur and Belmont. So, can we put up a building? Yes.
But the fundraising continues and now we have to start to think about furnishing it with things like exam tables, blood pressure cuffs and chairs. We want a bright, accessible place for our doctors.” The current clinic is in the basement of the Glenboro Health Centre, which was built in the early 1950s.
On the same lot is a personal care home, and adjacent to that is a green space of 30,880 square feet, which is about the size of half a city block. That’s where the new clinic — at about 3,200 square feet — will be built. It will be one level, Jefferies said, with two offices for each doctor and two for the nurse practitioner.
The waiting room will be large and “above all, accessible,” he said. Dr. Tais Pujol and her husband are from Spain and moved to Glenboro in June 2024 after working in the United Kingdom.
She said she had already decided to move to the community before she was told about the new clinic. Einarson shows Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate where the new clinic will be built during Tuesday's ceremony. (Michele McDougall/The Brandon Sun) “This community is quite impressive,” Pujol said.
“Glenboro has gathered to do whatever it takes to make things better. “And the new clinic will be wonderful. They have included us on everything we need.
It’s very oriented to practitioners and will be what’s best for our patients,” she said. Pujol practices alongside Dr. Banafsheh SalimArouny, an International Medical Graduate from Iran.
Both doctors see patients at the hospital and clinic, with support from nurse practitioner Brittany Vrooman. The empty lot where the clinic will be built has stakes in the ground with yellow flags marking where the front entrance will be. The front door will face east, Jefferies pointed out.
“So we’ll have a big entranceway to the building,” he explained. “It will be accessible for all, because we’re making it flat — level. So, you’ll be able to drive right up with ease.
No stairs or ramp to worry about. “We’ll also have lots of parking for patients and staff. So this is the dream, starting to take shape.
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