After years of fundraising the Sun Peaks Health Centre was officially opened on Jan. 26.
Donors to the building and to an equipment fund were on hand to witness a ribbon cutting and the reveal of commemorative walls inside the family practice that showcase donors and the history of the clinic.
Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality Mayor Al Raine welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone who donated for their support.
“Part of the success of this is because everyone has dreamed a dream and committed to this,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing, I must say, to be a mayor of a community (like this). It really makes you proud.”
Raine said a number of large donations came in at the last minute and pushed the final amount raised for equipment to over $500,000.
Gail and Ron “Shorty” Stiles donated $100,000 and more than $25,000 was donated in memory of Paul Sicotte, a local resident who passed away in December.
Other major supporters include Al and Nancy Raine, Ines Popig and Petr Duda, Bear Country Property Management, The Royal Bank of Canada and Telus.
Kamloops North-Thompson MLA Peter Milobar was on hand for the ceremony and complimented Sun Peaks’ community.
“This project is result of your community never taking no for an answer,” he said. “The ingenuity of all of you to continue to move ahead is phenomenal.”
John Hatchett, former president of the Sun Peaks Health Association, was also on hand to celebrate the opening after years of work.
“It wasn’t the big money, it was all the small stuff that kept us going and that was you. Now all of this is yours,” he said.
After the reveal of the donor walls guests toured the building and had a chance to meet with Dr. Shane Barclay.
Nancy Greene Raine and Anne Terwiel reveal a sign telling the story of the Health Centre.
A wall highlighting donors to the equipment fund.
Guests of all ages enjoyed tours of the new building.
Nancy Greene Raine and Peter Milobar at the afternoon event.
John Hatchett and Pat Miller enjoy the ceremony.
Director of TNRD Area P Mel Rothenburger and John Hatchett reveal a wall honoring donors to the building.
A total of $1.36 million was raised for the build.
Peter Milobar and Ines Popig reveal a wall honoring equipment donors.
Help us bring you more local news
SPIN has been able to serve Sun Peaks as its sole news source for over 20 years thanks to the overwhelming support of our community. Join over 126 of your neighbours and become a monthly or yearly member so that we can continue to regularly publish the digital newsletters and stories our readers rely on.
