AGH–FAIRVIEW MANOR NEWS RELEASE
Almonte General Hospital - 75 Spring Street – Almonte, ON K0A 1A0 – 613-256-2500
Fairview Manor – 95 Spring Street – Almonte, ON K0A 1A0 – 613-256-3113
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2005
QUALITY CARE FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
The Quality Care For Life Campaign to raise funds for the Almonte General Hospital (AGH)/Fairview Manor (FVM) Redevelopment Project is off to a great start, with $1.3 million of the $3-million local fundraising goal already raised or pledged.
The official launch of the Campaign, which was held on June 10, included a visit from Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara, who presented the provincial government’s financial contribution to the Project.
“This is exactly the kind of project and the kind of commitment to health care delivery that we need more of in this province,” Sorbara said. “This is the kind of project that really will help provide better health care that is delivered in a more efficient manner.”
The Redevelopment Project will see a new 112-bed long-term care facility built on land adjacent to the Hospital. The Project also includes the expansion of AGH’s emergency and ambulatory care departments, renovations to its in-patient care department and new equipment for the X-ray and medical-surgical departments. The Hospital, new long-term care facility and existing Fairview Manor will be connected by a covered link, and the new long-term care facility and AGH will share administrative and support services. Construction is expected to begin in August.
Mississippi Mills Mayor and Lanark County Councillor Al Lunney was at the launch to officially present the County’s $6-million contribution to the construction of the new long-term care facility and the Town’s $500,000 pledge to the project.
AGH/FVM Foundation Board Chair Andrew Brown announced two major local donations at the launch - $150,000 from Mary and Mr. Justice James Hugessen and $15,000 from the Almonte Lions Club, bringing the Club’s total donations to date to $80,000.
“I’m encouraging everyone to consider making a significant donation to support this project,” said Hugessen, who is also Co-Chair of the Quality Care For Life Campaign. “We need to dig as deep as each one of us can to contribute.” Hugessen is a member of the Rosamond family, which built Almonte’s first hospital, Rosamond Memorial.
AGH/FVM Chair Bryn Matthews thanked everyone who has brought the project to this point, including provincial, County and municipal officials, Lanark Carleton MPP Norm Sterling, Hospital and Foundation board members, AGH/FVM Executive Director Ray Timmons and his management team, AGH/FVM staff and volunteers and local donors. “The community has played a large part in making this project happen,” Matthews said. “Thank you for your support.
During the event, Brown unveiled a large sign that will track the campaign’s progress. “We’ve come a long way – we have a long way to go,” said Brown. “I know how much this community supports the Hospital and the Manor, and that’s why I’m certain we’ll achieve our goal.”
Other major local pledges and donations to date include $500,000 from the Town of Mississippi Mills, $90,000 from the Rural Expo 2003 legacy fund, a $130,000 bequest from the late James P. and Vera McGregor, and proceeds from a number of annual and one-time events, such as the Foundation Golf Tournament, May Magic Dinner Dance, Light Up the Tree, Casino Night, Kitchen Cabaret, NHL Alumni Game and Community Garage Sale organized by Marilyn Anderson. A number of individuals and groups, including the Hospital Auxiliary and Civitan Club, have also made significant donations to the local campaign.
Local resident and well-known entertainer Wayne Rostad emceed the event, which also featured a free community barbecue and entertainment by Standing Room Only.
“Now that the Campaign is in high gear, you are going to be hearing a great deal about our project,” Brown said. “You will also be invited to participate in special events, learn more about our project and make a commitment to it.”
Upcoming fundraising events include the Third Annual Foundation Charity Golf Tournament on June 24 and the St. Paul’s “Fair By the River” on June 25. As well, Simply Susan at 96 Mill Street is holding a “No GST” sale from June 10-18 and will be donating an amount equivalent to GST for that week’s sales to the Foundation.
Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman announced funding of $5.4 million for the Hospital portion of the project on April 1, 2005. Before the April announcement, the Ministry had already committed $8.4 million toward the cost of the new long-term care facility. The County of Lanark will contribute $6 million to the construction of the new long-term care facility. The balance of funding for the project will come from additional AGH resources and local fundraising. The local fundraising target is $3 million.
The Almonte General Hospital is a 52-bed acute/chronic care hospital serving Mississippi Mills, Arnprior, Carleton Place, the City of Ottawa and surrounding townships. Fairview Manor is a 100-bed long-term care facility serving North Lanark County. AGH also operates the Lanark County Ambulance Service.
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The Quality Care For Life campaign to raise funds for the Almonte General Hospital (AGH)/Fairview Manor (FVM) Redevelopment Project was launched at a community barbecue on June 10. So far, the campaign has raised $1.3 million of its $3-million goal. Shown at the launch are, from left: Event emcee Wayne Rostad, Mississippi Mills Mayor and Lanark County Councillor Al Lunney, AGH/FVM Board Chair Bryn Matthews, Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara, AGH/FVM Executive Director Ray Timmons and AGH/FVM Foundation Board Chair Andrew Brown.