Health Minister Dustin Duncan joined local residents at a grand opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Watrous District Health Complex.

Minister responsible for Rural and Remote Health Randy Weekes, Arm River-Watrous MLA Greg Brkich, local town and rural municipality officials, and members of the Saskatoon Health Region and its board also took part in the milestone event.

"We are extremely pleased to see this dream realized," Duncan said. "This is an exciting day for Watrous and area residents who will benefit from this new facility. It is a priority for our government to provide a safe and comfortable place for long-term care residents to live, and a suitable work environment that allows health care professionals to provide quality care. This is another example of our commitment to patient-and family-centred care."

The Complex incorporates the Watrous Hospital and a new long-term care home addition - Manitou Lodge, named after the former long-term care facility in Watrous. The new Manitou Lodge is the first long-term care facility renewal project to be completed out of the 13 originally announced by government in 2009.

The integrated health complex offers a wide range of comprehensive health services, including acute care, long-term care, home care, public health, mental health, therapies and addiction services. It has 43 long-term care beds and eight acute care beds.

"Saskatoon Health Region congratulates the Watrous Community Health Foundation and the communities who supported the construction and furnishing of the new Watrous District Health Complex," Saskatoon Health Region Vice President of Finance and Corporate Services Nilesh Kavia said. "The province had the foresight in 2009 to plan to replace 13 long-term care facilities throughout Saskatchewan. Saskatoon Health Region is one of the recipients of that financial and social investment. But the true beneficiaries are the pioneers of this province. This is truly putting our residents first."

The provincial government, Watrous Community Health Foundation, and area municipalities together invested $14.4 million in the new Manitou Lodge long-term care addition, and renovation to the Watrous Hospital building. The provincial share is $11.2 million.

Residents will move into Manitou Lodge the week of June 18.

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