The province is “absolutely committed”
to opening a health centre in Oceanside, says Premier Christy Clark.
Speaking in Qualicum Beach during a whirlwind tour of Vancouver Island Tuesday, Clark said she sees such a facility as a clear need in the community.
“I am absolutely committed to seeing this primary health care facility get going,” Clark said. “The reason we want to see it happen is because it is something this community desperately needs. It’s long overdue for this community and we want to see it happen so people here can get the help they need here.”
Clark said the project has an aggressive timeline, but the sooner it gets completed, the better.
“We hope we can see some dirt turned in September of this year and hopefully an opening in 2012,” Clark said. “It’s going to happen. We are getting on with it.”
Clark said much of the credit for the progress on the centre belongs to Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon.
“Ron has been a huge part of making it happen,” she said. “He has been absolutely focused. It’s his number one priority and he has delivered for the community.”
Tom Davies, with the Federation of Oceanside Residents’ Associations (FORA) said they are happy to hear the new premier confirm clearly that the facility is a priority.
“What we were hoping for from the premier was a very clear commitment that this is going to go ahead and we got that. This is absolutely good news,” he said. “Cantelon had briefed her ... and he’s been a real asset in promoting this as his number one priority.”
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