WHMB has successful operational review
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Glenn Koester, chairperson of the Wheatland Housing Management Body (WHMB), expanded on the Sept. 20 announcement of the organization’s successful operational review.
A release had been distributed noting the routine operational review which had been conducted, the purpose of which, being to give the WHMB an opportunity to review and discuss its operations and overall management.
“The Ministry of Seniors, they have been doing these reviews before – I think our last one was 2016 and COVID-19 came, and they had not done any since COVID-19 started,” said Koester. “They are way behind, but it is a routine … to make sure that everybody is not having troubles (and) are doing the right thing and practicing best management. They are there to help us do a better job.”
Koester added a team of advisors spent roughly a week reviewing the WHMB’s policies, minutes and financial statements, as well as visiting with local seniors and staff.
Overall, Koester explained that approximately a dozen policies were required to see mild adjustment, as some were left over from during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are no longer applicable or necessary.
“This was our second one. The county writes a letter to the minister and we do a review, and the county did that twice. We got the review done from the minister and he didn’t find any troubles at all. The whole board is happy, the staff are happy, residents are happy,” said Koester. “We know we are on the right track. Every day is a different day and different problems come up, but we do not have to look back so much. We can be prepared to grow and find better solutions for tomorrow.”
According to Koester, the WHMB has already met to discuss and pass all the amendments which were documented and pointed out as requiring attention by the Ministry of Seniors.
Going forward, the WHMB continues to await confirmation of a successful application to the province for funding to support the proposed new Wheatland Lodge project aiming to be constructed in Strathmore.
“That ball is in the province’s court right now and we are waiting for an answer from them. Whatever the answer is, we can settle down and do what is best for our residents,” said Koester. “If we are going to build, we will get our team back together, and if not, we will just keep working on keeping our residents happy.”
The WHMB application for funding was previously unsuccessful during the province’s previous funding period, and now the team is awaiting any announcement as to whether any more funding will be made available.