The fundraising effort for the new Estevan Regional Nursing Home was boosted well over the $6 million mark just before Christmas thanks to a healthy $100,000 donation made by local philanthropists Ray and Doris Frehlick.
The personal contribution to the Hearthstone Community Foundation, which is fronting the $8 million fundraising effort, places the local committee in a position where they are probably soon going to be approaching the Sun Country Health Region's board of directors to put Estevan on the provincial list for a new nursing home.
Vern Buck, chairman of the Hearthstone community campaign, accepted the cheque from the Frehlicks at City Hall on Dec. 21. He said since the local amount gathered in terms of money and pledges now exceeds $6 million, there was confidence and momentum building within the committee and community whereas they felt they could begin the application process fairly soon.
The $8 million target is based on the assumption that it would require $34 million to build an 80-bed facility to replace the aging Estevan Regional Nursing Home and that 20 per cent of that cost must be borne by the community.
"All you have to do is go to the local nursing home and you'll see the need. In some cases I kind of feel sorry for some of those people. We have some great amenities in our community and these people, our pioneers deserve something better. There is no doubt in our minds we need it," said Ray.
Doris echoed those sentiments, adding, "We live here. This is our community. We shop here, we work here, these are our people."
The couple said they were making the donation as a personal family gift to the community, and not as a business contribution.
