A new health hub in Blenheim will soon be open for business.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Thursday, announcing a new way for people in the area to receive health care.
Tyler Mercer, the hub's executive director, said the new space at 2 Hyland Drive is a pivotal moment in Blenheim.
"Health care is very important in a small community. Rural health care is always a topic of conversation, and how to really advance that, and I think this is a major step for our community in doing that," he added.
Board member Cathy Smith explained that September 20, 2025, is the target date to open the hub.
"The clinic is done, except there are bits and pieces, such as blinds that have to go in next week, but other than that, it's ready to go. We're putting the TVs in on Monday for the waiting room, and the furniture is coming," she said.
The price tag for the project, so far, is $7.5 million, but there's more work to be done.
The hub already has a couple of doctors, but Smith explained that more funds are needed to recruit more primary care doctors and specialists to expand services.
The hub's new tenants so far include the Chatham-Kent Family Health Team, a pharmacy, a dentist, Circle Health and the Chatham-Kent Mental Health & Trauma Therapy Centre.
Ongoing discussions are also underway to get diagnostic imaging and laboratory services at the hub.
The $3 million building was donated by Annie and Peter Timmermans and the renovations cost $4.5 million.
The Timmermans and the Howard J. Rees Foundation raised a total of $6.1 million for the hub.
Board Chair Ed O'Brien also told a large crowd that no tax dollars were used for the new hub.
Click here for more information about the Blenheim Health Hub.
