$144,940 raised for Rainy River House so far

By Ken Johnston
Editor

The kick-off fundraiser for the Rainy River House project was a huge success last Saturday!
200 places were set for the dinner and all were filled when more tables were added to the lot! Laura Singleton, of the Rainy River Health Committee, said, “Two hundred places were set - later, extra tables were set up to accommodate as many more as organizers could. Final number hasn’t been determined.”
There were also several major donations including $10,000 from the Rainy River Legion; $5,000 from Riverside Foundation, $2,500 from Jean Tooth and $1,000 from Jack and Norma Elliott. Singleton said there was also a $20,000 in private donation from an unnamed source!
The kick-off event raised $4,000+ from the dinner, $1,500 from the silent auction, $440 from 50/50 draw and $500 in other donations. In total $44,940 has been raised towards the project. This coupled with the $100,000 put up by the Town of Rainy River, Dawson Township, Lake of the Woods Township and Big Grassy First Nation brings the total towards the project to approximately $144,940. Morley Township has yet to confirm its earlier stated contribution of $12,500.
Cost estimates at a recent public meeting were placed at between $600,000 and $700,000 but in a letter to the editor this week, Rainy River Health Committee Chair and RR Mayor Deb Ewald said, “Although the cost of $700,000.00 has been quoted, in actuality, the final figures have yet to be determined.”
The purpose of the Rainy River House will be to house locum doctors and medical school students when they are in Rainy River.
Locum doctors provide relief for full time doctors at the Rainy River Health Centre.
Medical students studying at the Northern Ontario Medical School, continue their studies at medical facilities across the region, including Rainy River.
Prior to the Rainy River House concept, students and locums have stayed in rental accommodations. Dr. David Singleton, has said, and again reiterated in a letter to the editor this week that, “accommodation(s) that is being offered in many other communities is of a higher standard than we presently have here. The point is that locum doctors do temporary work, by definition. That means they visit many communities, and that means they inevitably compare one experience with another. Rainy River has not been faring well in these comparisons. Our locum doctors are telling us that while they like working here, the housing is below the standard that other communities are providing.”
It is hoped that by building a top-notch rental facility on the river in the community will in effect attract locums to come and perhaps even relocate here. Also that it may encourage graduating medical students to think of locating here down the road as well.
If there is no locum support for the health care facilities in Rainy River there is a danger that 24 hour emergency room services could be closed part of the time or perhaps permanently. Dr. Singleton said in his letter this week, “People need to realize that just because they haven’t felt the pinch of doctor shortages up till now doesn’t mean there is nothing to be concerned about. Other communities are pulling out all the stops to make themselves attractive for doctors. Rainy River can’t take what it has for granted. Our first–class facilities and access are worth a lot and are worth supporting.”
Fundraising efforts will continue as well as the exploration of possible funding from government grants. For more information on the project check out its web page at http://www.rainyriver.ca/?page_id=1126. They also have a page on Facebook.