In 2012, the idea to expand the Agassiz Medical Centre (AMC) was sparked, now seven years later, the idea has come to fruition.

The AMC Community Board has announced the construction of the $1.3 million Clinic Development Project (CDP) will begin January 6, 2020.

It's been a long haul for everyone," says Community Representative on the board Myrna Mayor. "For the staff, for Karen, and the board. It's really exciting to see it all starting."

The CDP will renovate the reception area, add ten new doctors' offices and the nurse's area, doctor's work area, and administration will be expanded.

Although the clinic has recently hired new physicians, they are cramped for space. Mayor says expanding the facility will not only give those doctors room but allow for further recruitment to hopefully bring down the 1,600 waiting list of individuals waiting for a family physician to zero.

With funding for the project from the City of Morden, the RM of Stanley, Agassiz Physicians Medical Corporation, and numerous business and private donations, the board said chose to use an open tender for awarding the project, wanting to remain transparent.

According to a news release, "the process to award the tender was lengthy, but it provided all funding partners and building owners an opportunity to thoroughly examine and compare all five of the tender bids received and make the most informed decision going forward. Bids for the project were evaluated on many different levels-cost, experience with similar projects, timelines, and insurance levels, to name a few. It was a unanimous decision of the funding partners to award the tender to Three Way Builders, and everyone is very eager to get started."

When the project was first announced, the board committed to fundraising $500,000. Bob Wahl Member at Large on the Board of Directors and Fundraising Committee, says although they haven't reached that goal as of the time of the tender, sitting at around $320,000, fundraising efforts aren't over.

"Fundraising never stops. Even when we reach our goal, and I'm sure we will, the whole aspect of what our board does is raise funds to operate the clinic."

Wahl says the board is incredibly thankful for the generosity the community has shown in supporting the project.

Estimations for construction completion is June 2020, and after the clinic's grand reopening, it will officially go under the name of Menzies Medical Centre.

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