Innovative approaches have resulted in an innovative building for Powell River region residents requiring care.
To show off the replacement for 54-year-old Olive Devaud Residence, an open house was held at the soon-to-open $26-million Willingdon Creek Village, Saturday, February 21. An estimated 400 people went through the new building, listening to several speakers and touring the yet-to-be-furnished village.
Colin Palmer, Powell River Regional Hospital Board chair, addressed a large number of people at the beginning of the open house. He said it was a semi-official opening and an opportunity for those in attendance to tour the facility.
Jokingly, Palmer said: “I know some of you are planning which rooms you want to go into,” to much laughter.
There was one occurrence that dampened festivities, however. During the speeches, staff members were mopping up water in the assembly hall, so Palmer offered an explanation.
“Don’t worry about the flood,” he said. “That’s all part of finding out where the problems are.”
He said the people who made the building possible are deserving of recognition.
Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation Chief Clint Williams said it was gratifying to see this investment in Powell River. “I’m blown away by this facility and I congratulate the organizers from the regional district, the city and all of the volunteers,” he said. “There is such a great story with the hospital auxiliary and I tip my hat. It’s a huge story, how the collaboration happened to pull this all together. It’s a beautiful facility for a beautiful town.”
Williams presented gifts from Tla’amin for the residence, including carvings and a framed photomontage. He said there is a section of Willingdon Creek Village that will be dedicated to first nations people and he wanted to bring a piece of Tla’amin to the facility.
Tla’amin elder Doreen Point then gave a blessing.
Palmer introduced Frances Ladret, former Powell River Regional District administrator, who advised the hospital board 10 years ago that the mortgage on the hospital was coming due in 2014. She said the Olive Devaud building would be more than 50 years old and there was an opportunity to build a replacement.
“We recognize very much the work Frances did,” Palmer said. “I’m sure today she must be thrilled by what she started and what we finished. We wanted to publicly thank you and recognize your hard work and tremendous achievement.”
Palmer then introduced Lorraine Hansen from Powell River Health-Care Auxiliary, which contributed $877,000 to the project. He said this was one of the largest donations in BC for a facility such as this. The donation is being used for the purchase of furniture for the facility.
Hansen said without the generosity of the people in Powell River, her organization would not have the money for that donation.
