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| A long-time Britt resident contributed $10,000 to kick-start a campaign to build a new nursing station in the community. |
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| George Wright, 93, who has served on various community groups in Britt for more than 50 years, made the donation earlier this month. |
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Mr. Wright was among the founding members of the Britt Area Nursing Services group, established in 1974. |
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The group, a partnership of community members, the Britt Lions Club and the Ontario Ministry of Health, was formed because the communitys nearest doctor was 80 kilometres away, in Parry Sound. The group started operations in an 18-foot trailer on the local school boards property, moving to a 12-by-85-foot mobile home in 1977. |
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There is a real need for this nursing station, and especially for a bigger nursing station, Mr. Wright said in a note to the Beacon Star. |
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A lot of people around here are elderly and have a hard time getting around. This nursing station is necessary. I was going to leave the money to the nursing station in my will, but decided to give it now because they need it now. I receive excellent care and know this money will help with whatever they need to continue giving excellent care. |
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The mobile home purchased in 1977 continues to house the nursing station, but with narrow hallways, small rooms and a need for substantial renovations, no longer meets the areas needs, said Stephen Wohleber, chair of the Britt Area Nursing Station. |
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Britt was the first nursing station in the Parry Sound area, Mr. Wohleber said. It was kind of an experimental project. Now were looking for a larger facility. The existing facility wasnt really designed as a health care facility. The new facility would be designed for present standards. Weve been speaking about it locally, we purchased the property in the spring and decided to put a sign up saying the future site of |
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The group will consult with architects next spring, but could be looking for as much as $500,000 to build a 2,600-square-foot building that will continue to serve residents in Britt, Byng Inlet, Henvey and Magnetawan. |
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The Britt Area Nursing Services group will officially kick off the campaign in the spring after nailing down a floor plan and financial target. The group has also contacted federal and provincial government funding agencies for assistance and hopes to raise enough money to start construction in 2009. In the meantime, Mr. Wrights contribution gives the project a strong start, Mr. Wohleber said. |
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Mr. Wright has been a Britt resident since the age of 16. He has served on the areas recreation committee, Statute Labour Board, the Britt Local Roads Board, Britt School B oard, worked as a property assessor, among other contributions. He is currently the oldest member of the Britt and Area Fitness Centre. |
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