Affordable Alternatives

Gabriola Professional Centre has, on three occasions in the last four years, presented the Gabriola Health Care Society with proposals for rental space in our building. We have offered to accommodate their clinical and office needs as a whole, or on an as needed basis, allowing for growth and future development as it occurs. They could have joined our existing complement of excellent health care providers and avoided the costs of building and maintaining a separate facility.

In none of these instances has the GHCS given consideration to our proposals.  They have never inquired as to rental costs, leasing terms, or conditions of tenancy.  They have never even looked at the spaces available and, in fact, have actually refused to do so when offers have been made.

Is it responsible to undertake the uncertain costs and risks involved in building an entirely new facility, requiring rezoning and public funding, when there are adequate spaces available elsewhere on Gabriola?  When we, as a community, express concerns about the homeless and the hungry on our island, can we justify building a brand new, state of the art, technologically advanced, purpose-built medical facility that may never be used to full capacity, and has not proven it can sustain itself financially? Does this really demonstrate a genuine concern for the “health and wellbeing” of our community?”

Verna Gregson

Gabriola Professional Centre Ltd.
590 North Road
Gabriola Island, B.C.