The Sunrise Centre is now open for business.
The new health centre officially opened its doors this evening with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new clinic, which is located southwest of the hospital.
Northern Sunrise County Reeve, Carolyn Kolebaba, was joined by fellow councillors, as well as representatives from: The Municipal District of Peace, the County of Northern Lights, and the Town of Peace River, along with people from the private sector who contributed to the approximate cost of $5 million to build the facility.
“We are grateful that we can support the region with a facility like this,” says Kolebaba. “Hopefully, not everyone will have to use it, but it is certainly big enough. It will suit 14 doctors, and it also has 25 patient rooms as well. The doctors are all moved in.”
The approximately 14,500 square foot clinic sits on 1.65 acres of land.
Before the NDP won the 2015 election, a $5 million commitment was made by the previous government. With a new government in place, Kolebaba says there was no guarantee the funding would be maintained, so Northern Sunrise County put forward the money.
“We were very fortunate at the county, at the time, was in a position to carry the load,” states Kolebaba. “Council made the decision after a lot of discussion. In the end, we felt it was for the social good and under the Municipal Governments Act, municipalities are to take up the social good and this facility is part of that.”
The MD of Peace and The County of Northern Lights each kicked in $50,000, the Town of Peace River kicked in $552,203 and approximately $140,000 from donations from industry and private citizens.
The former Peace River Clinic was located on 101 Street in Downtown Peace River.
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
