The Comox-Strathcona Regional Hospital District (CSRHD) at their Feb. 7 board meeting decided to no longer pursue the installation of water features at the two hospital locations in Campbell River and Courtenay.
The two water features were to include a waterfall with a catch pool, lighting and seating. The fountains are meant to recognize the services provided by the previous hospitals and those who contributed to the construction of the new hospitals. Back in June 2017, the Commemorative Items Select Committee approved these parameters and also agreed on a maximum budget of $50,000 for each.
However, an estimate for the project from an onsite contract manager came in significantly over budget at $212,093.93 for the two fountains.
At the October CSRHD board meeting, board members voted to not proceed with the water features at that time. However, they agreed to bring the issue back onto the agenda on Feb. 7.
At the Feb. 7 board meeting, the estimated costs were discussed and a decision was made to not move forward with the water features.
“The CSRHD board takes public interests and concerns seriously,” explains CSRHD Board Chair Charlie Cornfield. “The proposed water features were meant to be there for the community to use in times of need and reflection. At the meeting the board instead decided to place those funds into reserves for future Island Health capital funding initiatives.”
The CSRHD provides capital funding, cost shared with the provincial government on a 60/40 basis, with the hospital district portion being 40 per cent. The CSRHD does not fund the operations of facilities. The facilities that the CSRHD provides capital funding for are: Campbell River & District General Hospital, St. Joseph’s General Hospital, Cumberland Regional Hospital Laundry Society, Gold River Health Clinic, Sayward Primary Health Centre and the health centres on Cortes, and in Kyuquot, Tahsis and Zeballos.
For more information on the CSRHD visit www.csrhd.ca
– with files from Jolene Rudisuela/Comox Valley Record