A number of people, including hospital patients, staff, Saskatchewan Health Authority administrators, and members of the public, gathered in the cafeteria of Saskatchewan Hospital on March 14 for an announcement.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced Les and Irene Dubé donated $1,000,000 to Saskatchewan Hospital New Beginnings.
According to a Saskatchewan Health Authority press release, the money has helped the Saskatchewan Hospital New Beginnings campaign reach 75 per cent of its $8 million goal. An exterior corridor which will welcome visitors, patients and families into the new Saskatchewan Hospital, will be named after the Dubés. The corridor will be called the Irene and Leslie Dubé Pathway to New Beginnings.
The Dubés have donated money to a number of different causes over the years. Les Dubé said he and his wife support causes including health, education, and religious studies.
Dubé said donations are motivated by love.
“We have found that the more we contribute the more we achieve peace in our hearts,” Dubé said.
Notable people at the event included MLA Herb Cox and SHA CEO Scott Livingstone.
Denver Roy read a thank you poem he wrote shortly before the ceremony.
“Sometimes people get sick, and their mind might play a trick,” began the poem. “Thank you all for what you’ve done to change a life by helping hands.”
The press release states, “the provincial government contributed $222 million for the construction cost of the new building. Additional funds are being raised to cover the costs of medical equipment and furnishings.”
June 1 was the scheduled date for the hospital’s completion. The News-Optimist reported on March 13 that Saskatchewan government officials said the June 1 target will not be met.
