A local health centre is growing again.
The NorWest Community Health Centre on Simpson Street was designed for around 15 staff when it was built 20 years ago. Today, more than 66 are working out of it, sometimes with six people working out of an office designed for two.
Then there are the clients and service providers who use the building.
“Right now this building is way beyond capacity in terms of the number of people that use it,” CEO Wendy Talbot said. “My staff have been working under very tight conditions.”
On Tuesday, the province announced funding for the centre to construct another two-storey building in the parking lot next to the existing centre. MPP Bill Mauro said the exact dollar figure isn’t known as the project will go to tender in the coming months.
“I think it’s fair to say this is a multi-million dollar investment,” Mauro said, adding that there’s no exact dollar figure attached to the project right now.
It’s part of the province’s commitment to primary care he said.
“It keeps people out of the emergency room it keeps them healthier.”
The building will house more exam rooms, reception area and community rooms for more programming, something the centre hasn’t been able to expand on because of the space issues with the current building.
Talbot said the new building, which could break ground next year, also means that clients can be in and out quicker.
“We’re only going to continue to grow,” she said.
