Hospice Society presents project update to town council
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Wheatland and Area Hospice Society presented an update on the progress of their campaign to Strathmore town council during the regular meeting as a public delegation on March 6.
“With the last eight years of fundraising events and donations, we have raised over $4.1 million. There has been fantastic support from Strathmore and area residents with events as big as Farming for Hospice, and as small as donations from tip jars at cash registers,” said Joni McNeely, president of the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society. “It is so heartwarming to see such widespread support and we know there is considerable economic demands on individuals and businesses these days. Our community truly cares and has shown through their donations and volunteering that this is an important cause for them.”
Given the Hospice Society’s proximity to reaching their fundraising goal, McNeely said the organization will soon be launching the next phase of the project, which they are calling their Capital Campaign 3.0.
McNeely explained this phase will launch publicly by year end, however, privately, it has already been ongoing amidst significant investors in the community.
“The furniture, fixtures, and equipment portion, deals with the costing out of the specialized lift, a spa tub room, high tech medication room and IT features,” added McNeely. “Our teams are (also) specking beautiful millwork and décor, boring conference tables and chairs, and cozy lounge furniture for both our patients and their families, and even costing out something as simple as a kitchen table that your dying dad can gather around with his neighbours.”
She added in terms of project management, the Hospice Society team is on schedule, having completed the design development phase and is now moving to obtain specific costing for a final budget.
An additional goal of the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society is to exceed AHS standards within the hospice facility, and offer services, as McNeely described as more on par with other provinces across Canada.
“Nursing will be the biggest expense in our day-to-day operations, and there will be no cutting corners to make a profit,” she said. “There is no ethical equivalency to making money off dying patients in our community. Nursing will be union wages, full time employment.”
McNeely suggested an approximately $800,000 operating budget for the facility annually, with no standing commitments prior to AHS dissolution.
More information regarding the Hospice presentation to council is available publicly through the Town of Strathmore YouTube channel. Council accepted the presentation as information.