The Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation annual general meeting was held Wednesday night at the Weyburn Credit Union Community Room. With no changes coming to the board, the meeting this year was to provide an update on how the year has gone, and what the plan is for the future.

The finances for the foundation, which was created to help with the construction of a new hospital to serve Weyburn and surrounding communities, are in very good shape. So far, over $22 million has been raised for the hospital foundation, through events, donations and pledges. Of the amount raised so far, $2.25 million is to equip the hospital once it is built.

The process in terms of building a new hospital did hit a bit of a snag in the past year, with the amalgamation of all the various health regions in the province into one health authority. The Saskatchewan Health Authority had to put together a process for the building of new capital projects, and then create a list based on priority.

Dr. Alain Lenferna is the chair of the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation. He explained at the meeting he has been talking with the SHA regarding the process, as well as working with the Hospital Foundation Network. While the processes have now been developed, it's a matter of establishing the priorities.

“While they aren’t ready yet to move forward on any of it, we are ever hopeful that we will get a positive announcement soon,” Dr. Lenferna said after the meeting.

The fundraising continues for the hospital, however, as they work to reach their targets for the equipment needed for the hospital. To help, the WDHF holds a number of fundraisers throughout the year. These include the annual golf tournament, as well as a late winter fundraiser. While numbers were down for the golf tournament in 2017, numbers were slightly up in a few of the other events held, which helped the foundation to bring in a total of $1.6 million through donations, fundraising events and investments.

During the AGM, Mal Barber took the time to honour the long-time CEO of the Sun Country Health Region, Marga Cugnet, and her husband Doug. The couple both worked in healthcare through their careers.

Barber pointed out how Marga understood the co-operation needed for a new hospital and provided encouragement and support whenever needed. This included contributions of $50,000 through payroll deduction at the health region, and endless hours helping out with everything from the annual golf tournament, to meetings, to moral support.

The next big event planned for the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation is the annual golf tournament, which will be held Tuesday at the Weyburn Golf Club. After the tournament will be a supper and a concert by Brad Johner and the Johner Boys.