Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) confirmed Dr. Catherine Nowierski will begin seeing patients out of the ski patrol facility effective March 12.
“SPR is pleased to be able to help facilitate an immediate solution that provides local residents continued access to a family physician,” SPR’s director of communications, Christina Antoniak told SPIN via email.
“Dr. Nowierski has already worked with Sun Peaks Mountain Patrol to provide on-site medical support for guests,” she added. “In addition to this ongoing collaboration, she will now operate her independent medical practice within the same facility through this agreement with SPR and be able to serve patients from the Sun Peaks to Heffley community.”
The Sun Peaks Ski Patrol facility is open seven days a week, however details regarding Nowierski’s schedule are still being determined, according to Antoniak.
The agreement between Nowierski and SPR does not have a set term, she clarified.
Antoniak reiterated that the resort continues to support the municipality in its pursuit of doctors for the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre.
Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality owns the ski patrol and ambulance bay space, which it leases to SPR. While it is not required of SPR to receive approval from the municipality to enter into this agreement, as the the resort did have to communicate the addition of Nowierski as a tenant in the space.
“[The municipality] was notified of the agreement after the fact,” Sun Peaks Mayor Rob O’Toole said.
He clarified that this does not impact the search for a full-time operator of the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre.
“It’s a positive that there are now going to be medical services…available in the community,” he said. “That will remove some stress for residents and we welcome that.”
SPIN reached out to Nowierski for more information, but did not hear back prior to publication. This article will be updated if a response is provided.
“I am pleased to share that I have entered into an agreement with Sun Peaks Resort to operate my independent medical practice from the Sun Peaks Mountain Patrol facility,” Nowierski wrote in a statement shared on a new website.
The location does not support walk-in patients, according to Nowierski’s notice.
Nowierski was the only respondent to Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality’s request for proposals to operate the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre following its closure in October, but after months of negotiations with the municipality, withdrew her proposal Feb. 26.
“Both parties have worked diligently to reach a final agreement that would allow the health centre to reopen as quickly as possible,” the announcement read. “Despite these efforts, we were unable to reach mutually acceptable terms, and Dr. Nowierski has chosen to withdraw from negotiations.”
The Sun Peaks Community Health Centre remains closed.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9 to reflect comments from Sun Peaks Mayor Rob O’Toole.
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