ESTEVAN - The committee that has been working for years to bring a new regional nursing home to Estevan is pleased with the additional funding in the 2025-26 provincial budget, released March 19.
The budget included $2.5 million for the design phase of the new building – the fifth straight year the government has committed funding for the project. The business plan for the project has been completed, and the size and location have been decided for the project, which will be across Sister Roddy Road from St. Joseph's Hospital.
"It looks like we have made another step in a positive direction to getting this new nursing home in place," said new nursing home committee chairman Don Kindopp.
Kindopp said he didn't go into the budget announcement with any expectations, and he was pleased with the ongoing support. Now the committee wants to get to the point where they're actually constructing the building.
Some committee members were at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention earlier this month, and they met with Estevan-Big Muddy MLA Lori Carr, who is the minister responsible for Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, and Minister of Health Jeremy Cockrill.
"They were able to speak … about our desire to proceed as quickly as possible with the new nursing home … and I understand that they received a favourable response from both ministers," said Kindopp.
He noted the committee is scheduled to meet with health officials and SaskBuilds on April 4. Kindopp said his understanding is the government wants to share where they're going, and ask for the committee's input and support for the design phase.
Since a sod-turning ceremony was held last September, Kindopp said the committee has remained in contact with Carr on the direction for the project, and they're trying to promote the project with the government as much as possible, although he admits the project has not progressed as quickly as he wants.
