Agency buys hospital

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The File Hills Agency has a plan to give new life to the former Balcarres Hospital.

Late last month the organization, representing five First Nations in the Balcarres area, made an agreement with the Town of Balcarres council and the Touchwood Qu'Appelle Health District to take possession of the facility.

After a spring and summer of renovation and reconstruction, the File Hills Agency hopes to re-open the building as a 26 bed personal care nursing home by this September, said agency chairman Art Walker.

"We have already taken over the keys and we've already done some inspections of the building with Bosogoed Project Consultants," said Walker. "The renovations will start as soon as we complete our agreement with the bank."

File Hills Agency decided to take on the project after consulting with the town and the health district, he said.

The facility will provide Levels 1, 2 and 3 care for all residents in the Balcarres district, and will be operated along the same lines as Lakeview Lodge on the Standing Buffalo First Nation.

While people will live and receive medical treatment on the ground-level floor, the basement will also be redeveloped, said Walker. The agency hopes people in the community have some proposals for the bottom floor.

"We're actively looking for projects, for example, a daycare facility. Many people in the area say that Balcarres needs a daycare facility. But no one has come forward formally, yet, with a proposal."

Walker emphasized that the new facility will provide personal care to all residents in the Balcarres area, not just First Nations people.