Hospital close to done deal

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

The land developer where the new High Prairie Hospital will likely be built says a deal is close to being finalized to start construction for the project. Nick Shybunia, speaking on behalf of H.P. Farm Supply, says he believes he has a proposal from Peace Country Health and other parties involved that “I can accept.” However, Shybunia adds that the deal is “still not secure” but was hoping it could be finalized as early as Feb. 20. A flurry of activity began Feb. 12 when High Prairie CAO Larry Baran announced on CKVH radio that the community may have to look elsewhere for land for the hospital. The news prompted several meetings with progress being made to the point that Shybunia appears ready to sign. “It’s moving forward,” says Shybunia. The problem is not with the hospital location; rather with the proposed road leading into the site and Highway 2 redesign to accommodate the hospital. Shybunia refused to disclose specifics except to say that he has a duty to look after the best interests of all the shareholders in H.P. Farm Supply during negotiations. George Keay, one of the members of the committee appointed to get the hospital project rolling, told High Prairie Community Health Council members at their Feb. 14 meeting that there were “difficulties” in getting a deal done. “We had hoped to have it done by now,” says Keay. Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen says she is trying very hard to reach a deal with Shybunia and get the project moving. She remains optimistic, when interviewed Feb. 16, that everything would work out in the end. She confirmed that the Highway 2 redesign was the stumbling block. Several rumours have been flying around town after the news, many of them without foundation while some may turn out to be true. One of them was that parts of the hospital were designed without hallways, a fact Calahasen confirms. “There were no hallways or a dialysis (unit),” says Calahasen. “The people who put it together didn’t put it together right.” She was unaware that the proposed cancer treatment unit was also scrapped. That is unacceptable to the MLA, who wants the “full meal deal” when it comes to the hospital. Calahasen has been working with the ministers in both the departments of Health, and Infrastructure and Transportation to get the project moving. Currently, there is a $6 million shortfall for the project. The government did previously announce base funding of $29 million, then later confirmed they would fund any cost overruns. Keay, who told CHC members that the dialysis and cancer treatment units were scrapped, is angry that there is not enough money for the project. “In my opinion, that’s not even an option,” says Keay of the cutbacks in the facility that may include the dialysis and cancer treatment units. “I know our MLA is working studiously on getting us that money. “I bring it up at every meeting that (the units)have to be there. Being the positive person that I am I think it will get done. We’ll keep chugging along.” Keay also took a jab at the government in saying they did not have the money for the project. “If someone (in government) says we can’t afford it someone’s nose is growing,” says Keay. Keay adds he warned project designers that the soil was unstable and would need extra support thereby costing more money. Calahasen is afraid the project might lose a year which she desperately doesn’t want to see happen. “Tell the people we’re still on the go and trying to deal with all the hiccups as they come,” she says. Butler responds Town of High Prairie CAO Larry Baran’s remarks on the radio Feb. 12 saying the hospital project was in danger incited a quick response from Kate Butler at the High Prairie Hospital Feb. 13. Butler told High Prairie Community Health Council members at their Feb. 14 meeting that she circulated a memo to staff to ease their fears. “Peace Country Health’s plan has not changed with a new health complex,” says Butler. “It’s going ahead – just taking longer. Butler described the ongoing project as encountering a “slowdown” because of the road improvements required.

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