Nearly 70 people gathered July 13 at a groundbreaking ceremony here to commemorate the start of construction for Hospice Wellington’s residential hospice facility.
The event was the culmination of over three years of planning and fundraising by Hospice staff and volunteers.
Brent Charette, the Hospice executive director, said, “The turnout for our groundbreaking ceremony alone is significant in that it demonstrates how important the residential facility is to our community. We are very excited to be breaking ground and seeing the start of construction take place. It was an exciting day … but more importantly it was a landmark day for those who we will serve in the future.”
The ceremony had a number of guests including Guelph MPP Liz Sandals, Guelph Mayor Karen Farbridge and Wellington County Warden Joanne Ross-Zuj in attendance as well as a number of councillors.
Provincial and municipal governments played an important role in funding the Centre of Expertise in Palliative Care and Bereavement with the province contributing a $1.2-million, the city $1-million and the county $400,000. Over $2.2-million was raised through pledges from donors.
Hospice also relies on the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network, which will provide a portion of its future operating costs, as well as the United Way of Guelph and Wellington which provides support for its community programs
“This Centre of Expertise will ensure improved quality of care for those facing a life-threatening illness regardless of diagnosis from the first stage of illness until the last moments of life,” said board chairman Jim MacKenzie. “It will bring together all of the partners within the health care community to ensure seamless, holistic, and inter-disciplinary care for both patients and their loved ones.”
While the next phase of the residential facility is well underway, the work is far from over.
Charette said, “We will see our focus shift from planning and construction to actually running the facility and raising funds to support our operations. Luckily, we have a community behind us that understands the real need for a residential facility for Guelph and Wellington County, and we are grateful to those who continue to fulfill their pledges.”
The facility is scheduled to open next spring and that will coincide with Hospice Wellington’s 30th anniversary.
