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The Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital (Photo: South Peace Physician Attraction and Retention Committee)
By Curtis Galbraith
Beaverlodge

Beaverlodge lands partnership, taking another step towards new hospital

Oct 15, 2021 | 6:00 AM

The effort to get a new hospital for the Town of Beaverlodge has taken a step forward.

St. Albert-based development firm Landrex has been picked to be the private partner in the endeavor, after an RFP went out seeking a P3 partner in early 2021.

RELATED: Town of Beaverlodge takes first steps to build new health complex

Beaverlodge Mayor Gary Rycroft says finding a company to design and build the proposed Mountview Heath Complex is a major step, but there are still many hurdles to overcome before the replacement of its 65-year-old hospital can become a reality.

“We still don’t have a blueprint for what this building is going to be. We’re still waiting on a report from Alberta Health Services, which is just in the committee stage now,” said Rycroft. “As soon as the committee is done with it, it will be (sent) to the minister’s desk, then on to us.”

However, Rycroft says it was a great day and sad day when the town sent out word of the deal with Landrex.

Earlier this week, Doris McFarlane, whose family donated the land where the new hospital is to be built, passed away. Rycroft says the town was hopeful she would get to see the new hospital become a reality.

Rycroft says McFarlane was a pillar of the community for 75 years.

“You just can’t describe the impact that she had. Even in her late 60s and 70s, she worked for me on the ambulance. She was just a driver. She could just go and go and go.”

Rycroft says there will be a memorial for McFarlane put up in the new complex. Flags in the town flew at half-mast in her honour after her passing.

Rycroft adds now that a partner has been secured, the next step will be public consultations. Officials are not sure yet what form those will take

“Whether it’s an online thing or an open house thing where we just have a few people coming through and asking questions and giving their opinions. I’m sure that we’ll be open to ideas from the public even if it’s an email or whatever.”

Rycroft says it is too early to say when construction might start.

by Curtis Galbraith