WAHS receives major donation

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Wheatland and Area Hospice Society (WAHS) has received a donation of $2 million towards their capital building fund from two members of the local community. 

“We were notified unexpectedly … Bonnie and Ken Seitz would like to donate a significant amount to the Hospice Society, and we very much appreciate that they have donated $2 million to the capital building fund,” said Joni McNeely, chair of the WAHS. “As well, we are hoping an endowment fund will be started which friends and neighbors will also contribute towards the operation of the hospice.”

McNeely explained with this donation, the capital build funding for the hospice facility is now completed. The WAHS has now amassed over $6 million, which fulfills their estimated contribution to the build to be constructed adjacent to Kinsmen Park in Strathmore. 

The next steps for the WAHS will be to decide how to set up an endowment fund, as well as to wait for the Alberta Affordable Housing Partnership Program (AHPP) to be decided whether the WAHS is successful in their application. 

Following the closure of the AHPP application window in January, the WAHS will have a much better understanding of when shovels may be able to hit the ground and construction of the facility may begin. 

“We are waiting for the next AHPP grant announcements to see if the application from the Wheatland Housing Management Board for the new lodge is successful. Our application is in, it has been since last spring, and it is at a Class B level application, which is more than is required at the moment,” said Keith Clayton, who sits on the board for the WAHS. “We are working on all the background to get a development permit done at the present time with the Wheatland Housing Management Board, and so we will update the application even though it is in … to its current level and wait for an announcement after the end of January.”

Clayton explained announcements from the province are likely to be released in February or March regarding successful grant applications for the AHPP. 

Key differences this time around, following an unsuccessful application for AHPP funding during the last funding period, are the WAHS and Wheatland Housing Management Board have provided more information regarding the project, and it is now able to be considered “shovel ready” once funding is made available.

Subsequent engineering work for the new lodge is set to be completed following grant approval and is estimated to take approximately two months.

“This takes a lot of pressure off of us as the Hospice Society with our fundraising, and we are looking to the next stage of fundraising because there are always ongoing costs,” said McNeely. “We still are planning on our Hype for Hospice that we have in May, and we will continue with Farming for Hospice. We are also so pleased that so many donors have come forward or done third party fundraising events. All of those will continue because it is a way for the community to reach in and help out.”

McNeely added the WAHS is currently debating avenues to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the organization.

Similar fundraising efforts will continue following the development of the facility in order to address ongoing upkeep, staffing and maintenance costs.

The current estimate for construction of the facility to begin approximates sometime in the spring of 2025.