By Roger White

Town of Battleford donates $110,000 to Sask. Hospital campaign

May 29, 2018 | 8:00 AM

The Town of Battleford has made a huge investment in local healthcare with a donation to the New Beginnings Fundraising Campaign for the new Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford.

At a recent Town Council meeting, the municipality announced a donation of five dollars per capita over five years, or almost $111,000, to the campaign, bringing the fundraising total to $6.4 million. In recognition, the Town of Battleford will have the hospital’s Internet café named in its honour.

Battleford mayor Ames Leslie said the Saskatchewan Hospital will have a huge impact on the local economy. 

“Each and every year, $17 million in salaries alone is put back into our economy, and this will increase as more jobs are created at the new hospital,” Leslie said. “These people live in our neighborhoods, buy homes, cottages, and furniture, groceries and fuel, cars and boats. It just makes good sense to support economic development at home.”

The Battleford Internet Café will be a casual, drop-in centre that will house computers so patients can keep in touch with family and friends and continue their studies. In recent years a number of researchers have explored possible connections between the use of social media and mental health. In addition to being a useful tool for keeping in touch with others and staying up-to-date on current events and trends, it can also help reduce depression and anxiety and can provide mutual support groups.

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The Internet café will also provide economically disadvantaged patients with the opportunity to learn basic computer skills while helping to enhance employment opportunities when they return to their home communities.

“Having the Town of Battleford acknowledge both our need and our economic contribution is wonderful,” Saskatchewan Hospital Director Linda Shynkaruk said. “The town’s generous donation will help us create a home-like and healing environment for our patients.”

The New Beginnings Campaign is raising $8 million for medical equipment and furnishings for the new Saskatchewan Hospital, which is under construction in North Battleford.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW