The Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation has taken another step in its endeavour to build a three-phase expansion onto the Boundary Trails Health Centre, (BTHC) which is bursting at the seams in almost every department.

At its annual meeting this week, Foundation Chair Debra Enns announced the hiring of a project manager.  Enns said the expansion committee has presented its plans for all three phases of expansion to the deputy minister of health, and this was a required step in the process.  Enns said the board will not be making a formal announcement until September as to who the project manager is.  "We are in talks with him at this point and making guidelines as to what we exactly wish him to complete for us in the near future."

Enns said the project manager will be tasked with providing a virtual look at what the building will look like, and determine the cost.  She said that is something the government was really asking for.  "Tell us what it's going to look like, how much space do you need, how much money do you actually need."

Meanwhile, the foundation has wrapped up another fiscal year, again funding several programs and projects at the hospital.  Enns says one of the biggest projects was supplying children and youth rehabilitation equipment for the hospital's rehabilitation unit.  The unit has which worked out of hallway space prior, is now located in a room at the Southland Mall in Winkler.  "All of the equipment they have in there now, was funded by the foundation," said Enns.  "You see things from rolling mats, climbing walls, bouncy balls, things that help with mobility."

Other projects and programs funded this past year by the foundation included BTHC's Palliative Care and Spiritual Care Programs, and new dialysis treatment chairs.