Why is it necessary for the proposed new medical clinic to own land and buildings?

Letter to the Editor
Gabriola Sounder
Monday, December 13 2010

RE: GHCS Proposal

I have a few questions regarding the proposed new medical/emergency care facility. Why is it necessary for the purposed new medical centre to own the land, buildings, etc.? We already know that VIHA is not going to subsidize this project any more than they are now offering; where will funding come from, continuing donations?

There is plenty of space at Twin Beaches for expanding the building, plenty of parking and the ambulance has land there already, so no need to spend more money on an ambulance pad or parking lot. The ambulance station could move there with far less cost, but why is it necessary for the ambulance to be adjacent if all emergency services will take place in this new care facility? I don’t think that is an established practice anywhere else.

We can barely get enough doctors now to fill the requirement, what guarantees do we have that more professionals will come because of the new facility? Are all the professionals from both the Professional Centre and the Gabriola Medical Centre involved in this proposed idea? Who will be responsible for the taxes, water, sewer, maintenance, etc.? Why should we permit forest land to be rezoned when we have commercially zoned space available at Twin Beaches. Purchase that property if necessary and upgrade as required. There is already a well-maintained road. You may have received a “good deal” on the land, but what is the end cost?

Thank you,

~ Evelyn Whitney