Sask budget includes new healthcare facility for Esterhazy

March 27, 2023, 4:05 pm
Shayna Zubko

Officials at the 2023-24 Provincial Budget Release that announced funding for Esterhazy’s new healthcare facility. From left: Melville-Saltcoats MLA Warren Kaeding, Esterhazy Economic Development Director Tammy Macdonald, Don Hood with St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation, Don Bernath with St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation, Esterhazy Mayor Grant Forster, and Saskatchewan Health Minister Everett Hindley.

The provincial government released their annual budget on Wednesday, March 22 which included money for a new healthcare facility for the Town of Esterhazy.

The government of Saskatchewan has officially dedicated $250,000 in this budget for the project plan of a new integrated healthcare facility in the Town of Esterhazy.

This would include combining the hospital and care home.

The planning process will work to solve some unknowns, such as doctor’s offices and location for the facility.

The planning phase will allow the town, hospital foundation, doctors, hospital staff, and healthcare officials to work together to determine the needs of the community and have those reflected in the design.

Esterhazy Economic Development Director, Tammy Macdonald said “We are looking forward to next steps, working together as investments by the provincial government in our healthcare facilities and investments in our community.”

The process of getting a new healthcare facility for the community has been ongoing for some time.

Last June, ministry officials visited Esterhazy and toured the town and hospital. They were able to meet with members of the hospital foundation, members from the community, doctors and hospital staff.

This highlighted the healthcare needs of the community.

Through this meeting, Minister Merriman and Minister Hindley shared that they were able to recognize the needs of the community of Esterhazy and this helped to push the budget forward to allow for the planning phase to progress.

“We are excited the government is committed to a healthcare facility for Esterhazy and surrounding communities,” said Mayor of Esterhazy Grant Forster.

Esterhazy students attend budget day
An invitation was extended to four students from Esterhazy High School to attend the budget release day held by the Saskatchewan government.

The annual budget announcement is a tremendous learning opportunity for students to observe routine proceedings in the chambers as well as being able to see where the province allocates funds for the year.

Grade 12 students from Esterhazy High were able to view routine proceedings, question period, listen to the budget announcement, response by the opposition, meet with their local MLA Warren Kaeding, and had the privilege of meeting with Education Minister Dustin Duncan.

For some students, it was their first time attending their legislature, and being able to observe government in action.

Seeing the Legislative building was a special opportunity, one that all residents should take advantage of.

Grade 12 student, Taryn Rushinko said, “It was great to experience budget day and hear about things that apply to us in Esterhazy,” referring to the announcement that plans will be moving forward for a new healthcare facility in Esterhazy.

She also said, “It was an honour to meet someone who represents our area, it made going to budget day more meaningful.”

From left are Shayna Zubko, Leahanne Pangracs, Taryn Rushinko, Cassidy Hudacek, Darien Mickle, and Melville-Saltcoats MLA Warren Kaeding at the Legislature on budget day last week.

From left are Taryn Rushinko, Darien Mickle, Cassidy Hudacek, Leahanne Pangracs, and Shayna Zubko at the Legislature during budget day.