Doubt is swirling over a verbal communication from former MLA Ray Danyluk that the province could potentially contribute an extra $1 million to St. Paul’s new wellness centre, following the recent election and changes within government.
“I have to go with the assumption that the money’s still there,” said County of St. Paul Reeve Steve Upham, noting that the Progressive Conservative government has spoken about supporting 142 family care clinics in the province, with St. Paul mentioned in that vein. He added that Premier Alison Redford has said that any commitments made before the election would be upheld, regardless of any changes within government. “I don’t think we’re necessarily back to the drawing board.”
The province had originally promised $2.5 million for the wellness centre, which is estimated to cost $7 million to complete. With the Town and County of St. Paul each contributing $1 million, and the developer contributing $500,000 in land, the project still had a $2 million shortfall.
Prior to the election, town and county representatives had been talking with Danyluk, as well as the Minister of Infrastructure and the Minister of Health to see if the provincial government would help cover the shortfall. According to Upham, Danyluk had led both councils to believe the money was there and that the province could contribute up to another $1 million, and that it was only a matter of working through administration.
However, there was no written commitment to provide any money and Mayor Glenn Andersen felt less sure of any additional funds flowing from the province. “That’s all in doubt now, because that’s all past.” Andersen pointed out there will be a new cabinet in place and that the local area has a new Wildrose MLA in Shayne Saskiw.
The worst case scenario is that the municipalities will have to cover the entire shortfall, says Andersen, adding the town is already prepared to kick in more funds if it must. But for now, he and Upham say they are still committed to talking with the government and working with Saskiw to secure extra funding.
For more on this story, please see the May 8 edition of the St. Paul Journal.
