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Kincardine covering renovation costs for Family Health Team By Liz Dadson |
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Kincardine council has agreed to cover the $100,000 in renovation costs at the Kincardine Community Medical Clinic, to get the Family Health Team up and running by Aug. 31 this year. The municipality will then recoup those costs through the lease-hold agreement at the clinic, over five years. Dr. Gary Gurbin brought the issue forward in committee-of-the-whole Wednesday night (April 13). He said the plans have been approved for the Family Health Team, and the next stage is to apply for capital funding through the health ministry. "We have been advised that this is a fairly lengthy process which could add months to our already tight schedule," said Gurbin. "We have been advised that there is another option which is having the municipality agree to fund this renovation while recouping the costs through the lease-hold agreement, likely over a five-year repayment plan." He said the original funding application, submitted to the ministry, allowed for $24/square foot for rent of the basement in the clinic, without renovations. The ministry would allow for an increase to this rent to make up for this renovation cost, said Gurbin. "We are asking that the municipality consider acting as this agent and put the cost of these improvement/changes into the lease agreement for the Family Health Team," said Gurbin. "This allows us the opportunity to move forward with our Family Health Team much more quickly." He said quotes have been requested, and the estimated cost of the renovations is $100,000. Putting the money up-front for this project should be revenue-neutral for the municipality, said Gurbin, and would allow the Family Health Team to be up and running in August, rather than December of this year.
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The Family Health Team is slated to occupy the section of the clinic's lower level not being used by the pharmacy. "I support this," said deputy mayor Anne Eadie. "The sooner we get the Family Health Team going, the better." "It's revenue-neutral for the municipality, let's get at it," agreed councillor Kenneth Craig. "Where are we going to get the money for this?" asked councillor Randy Roppel. Mayor Larry Kraemer said it will come from the health care reserve. Gurbin said he will be back within six weeks with the final figures for the cost of the renovations, to be approved by council. Council approved footing the renovation costs. Gurbin also noted there are three physicians at the clinic who are accepting new patients. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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