Sod-turning for Cheticamp Community Health Centre

Premier Russell MacLellan joined residents of Cheticamp today for a sod-turning ceremony at the site for a new community health centre next to the Foyer Pere Fiset home for the aged.

"The new facility we're celebrating today will be a true community health centre for the residents of Cheticamp and the surrounding area," said Premier MacLellan. "It will focus on wellness, not illness."

The new 10-bed health centre will replace the existing Sacred Heart Hospital. The centre will be built next to the Foyer Pere Fiset and will provide diagnostic services, ambulatory clinics, emergency service and other support service departments. A full range of community health services including mental health, public health, addiction services and home care will also be provided.

Residents had input into the centre's primary care service plan through the Regional and Community Health Board.

The total cost of the centre, including design, planning, project management, construction and equipment, will be about $5.5 million. The province is providing 75 per cent of the funding; the community will cover the remainder.

"The new community health centre will certainly demonstrate the positive results generated by government working together in partnership with the Eastern Regional Health Board and the community," said Health Minister Jim Smith.

The centre is scheduled to open in a year. Plans were announced in November 1996.