Kent Lindgren, Crystal Okemow, Patricia Whitecalf and Jessica Campbell cut the ribbon marking the reopening of the Battlefords Family Health Centre.(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

By Kenneth Cheung

New milestone

Battlefords Family Health Centre reopens after overcoming major setback

Aug 22, 2024 | 5:22 PM

A new chapter has started for Battlefords Family Health Centre (BFHC) almost 15 months after it was forced to close due to severe water damage.

The BFHC held an official re-opening ceremony Thursday.

.”People need care and quick access to it, so it’s important that we can reopen this. It is a community space focused on our families, and that’s a really important part for them to be able to come back here,” said Kent Lindgren, director of BFHC.

On April 7 of last year, the fire sprinkler system malfunctioned, pouring water into the building for several hours.

According to Lindgren, the water flooded all the departments, damaging the computer system, medical equipment, hundreds of books and toys.

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“It was really sad to see a place you spend so much time in, almost like your home, get destroyed so quickly.”

One of the newly renovated rooms. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

As devastating as it was for him and his team, they got the centre back on its feet.

“The resulting damage left us shaken, but not down and out.”

The centre, which has been in operation since 2000, is one of the first Indigenous-led primary health centres in Saskatchewan and integrates traditional First Nation health and culture in primary health services.

“We were able to take a difficult time and significant damage, and re-design the space to fit the current health needs of our families, and to enhance patient-centred care,” said executive director Patricia Whitecalf in a new release.

It cost approximately $300,000 just to renovate the primary care clinic alone.

Staff relocated to the hospital and other locations, seamlessly continuing services for 15 months while renovations were underway.

The playroom. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Whitecalf pointed out that the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) helped relocate some of the staff to work in other areas of the clinic. She said they have partnered with the SHA for over twenty years.

“We value and want to continue this partnership so that we can continue providing services to everyone,” Whitecalf said.

Upon starting anew, they revamped some space to create more practical office and patient areas. Additionally, they established a pediatric room which was not previously available, and improved room accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges.

BFHC also enhanced the circle of learning space of their kids’ learning program and made it more culturally representative of the First Nations communities.(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

They also enhanced the Circle of Learning space for kids and made it more culturally representative of the First Nations communities.

Jessica Campbell, executive director of SHA Primary Health Care Northwest (South), said the clinic and Indigenous cultural aspects were very well thought out and detailed.

“It’s really heartwarming to see that, and I hope that the community and the clients who are coming in feel like it is a good representation of our community,” Campbell said.

Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre clinic in BFHC provides service in both urban and First Nations areas.

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kenneth.cheung@pattisonmedia.com