Upgrades to the Boyle Healthcare Centre continue to come along with finishing touches of the new patio set for June.
According to a May community update from Alberta Health Services, internal duct work modifications that began in January have meant temporary closures and relocation of services. It added that the upgrades are designed to improve ventilation and air conditioning that will “especially make a difference during the summer.”
Spokesperson Amy Crofts of Alberta Health Services said the acute care section remains closed at this time.
“Patients have been directed to other hospitals in the immediate area for the past couple of months,” Crofts said. “Contractors are also commissioning a new generator for the hospital, and they need to get that working first before they can allow patients to come back in.”
She added that the emergency department has continued to remain in service at this time.
The update said construction continues to remain on time and on budget, and that work has been done in three phases.
“Phase 1 impacted x-ray services and the emergency department,” the update said. “Phase 2 impacted acute care and food services, while Phase 3 involves community health services.”
The update states Phases 2 and 3 are nearing completion. It also states construction in acute care is finished, with patient care rooms given a deep clean and face lift with a fresh coat of paint, newly waxed floors and new ceiling tiles.
“New concrete has been poured for the patio,” it also states. “Metal framing, pergola and glass have been installed. The patio has been made possible through funding from the Hospital Auxiliary.”
Boyle Healthcare Centre Auxiliary president Judy Flax said the cost of building the patio itself is estimated to be around $180,000.
“We will start paying for the patio as soon as the bills start coming in,” Flax said.
The AHS update said the $5.7-million project, which also includes upgrades to the facility’s roof and fire alarm system, reflects their commitment to enhancing care in the community.
Strawberry tea
The auxiliary also held their annual strawberry tea fundraiser event April 18 at the Boyle Farmer’s Market during their Easter event.
Flax said their event for this year went really well.
“We will have a final report of how much money we made at the event at our next executive meeting to be held May 21,” Flax said. “We had up to 90 show up and have some tea.”
Flax said for this year, the money is likely to be used towards providing furnishing for the new patio. She added the auxiliary has been around for the last 18 years, with the tea having happened in different formats for the last 10 years.
“This is the third year we have attached our event to the farmer’s market,” she said. “Before that, we had run it independently. Since we started doing it with the Farmer’s Market, we have seen a lot more customers coming in.”
Flax said they did not bother holding a bake sale for this year.
“We only served the strawberry tea,” she said. “Some of the vendors at the market were already serving baked goods, so there was no point in competing with them. But even without the bake sale, we still did really well.”
