Feasibility study shows support for capital fundraiser

The task of raising $2 million could very well be in the cards for the Riverside Foundation for Health Care after it was announced at last night’s annual meeting that the district-wide feasibility study that was completed more than a month ago could point them in the right direction.
“The feasibility study came back with strong results,” Foundation chair Clare Brunetta said.
“It showed 90 percent community support for pursuing the capital project–we’re very encouraged by that statistic,” he added.
“However, we won’t begin to commit to that campaign until the Ministry of Health has approved of it, or otherwise given a very strong indication in that direction,” he stressed.
The $2 million would go towards planned renovations to the surgical service suites and the emergency ward at La Verendrye here, and towards the long-term care beds at Emo hospital.
“We feel strongly that these renovations are urgently required,” he remarked. “The renovations at La Verendrye will ensure that emergency, surgical, and diagnostic imaging services are provided in an efficient and modern environment.
“At Emo hospital, they’re urgently required so long-term care patients can receive care in their own community,” added Brunetta.
Although it is uncertain how soon the capital project could start, Brunetta speculated that once it gets off the ground, it would last 12-16 months.
Board member John Myers noted Dryden held a similar 12-month capital venture and raised $5 million.
Also last night, the board voted in favour of amending a bylaw in order to expand its possible membership from eight to a maximum of 20 seats.
“When the Foundation was originally constituted, it had eight members,” noted Brunetta. “It soon became clear that we needed more members and resultantly we’ve decided to change the bylaw to increase that number.”
Wayne Woods, Teresa Hazel, Irene Meades, and Craig Sanders now become ex-officio board members, being considered “senior positions” but keeping their vote.
Incoming directors appointed at the meeting included Audrey Anderson, Dr. Steve Chown, Tammy Kellar, and Wendy Judson. Meanwhile, Ron Willis, Dave Berry, and Cindy Judson will be leaving the board.
The board also reported a margin of revenue over expenses in the 1998-1999 year, taking in $574,271 (mainly through fundraising and donations) while spending $428,279.
But some $367,748 of those expenses were contributions to capital projects.
The feasibility study mentioned above cost almost $20,000 of the total expenses but Brunetta noted it was a one-time expenditure that would not happen again in the next fiscal year.
BDO Dunwoody once again was appointed as auditor for the Foundation.