RR House Committee petitioning rejection of funding request

By Jack Elliott
Contributor

Although summer is a time when projects traditionally grind to a halt as folks kick back for a little R&R, such is not the case for our Rainy River Locum House Project. Here’s an update.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation an agency of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines initially turned down our application for funding. That program we applied for could fund up to half the cost of the project. We have been advised by Ministry individuals and Howard Hampton, MPP, to appeal the decision. Part of that process is a petition in support of our appeal that is being circulated throughout the community. We have an excellent case to support our appeal, considering the importance to our area of not only the healthcare needs, but the essential impact on jobs and businesses in our area’s economy. Make sure you add your name. Petitions are located at many locations across the community
On the funding front the four major partners, Big Grassy First Nation, Lake of the Woods Township, Dawson Township and the Town of Rainy River have all contributed their seed money for the project totaling $100,000.00. In addition cash donations and pledges from residents and organizations, both locally, across the country and even some from our neighbours in the U.S. to date total $67,745.00. An additional $10,150.00 has been raised at the two major fund raisers – the Kickoff in May and the ‘Fishing for Doctors’ Fish Fry during RailRoad Daze.
That gives us a grand total of $177,295.00 almost one third of the way to our goal. Not bad for an effort that got off the ground just over three months ago. Give yourselves a pat on the back, and then let’s get back to work. Those pledge forms you received in the mail need to be filled out and sent in. Have an idea for a fund raiser, talk to Norma Elliott at 852-3790. Plus there are several other funding initiatives still in the works.
On the building front, blueprints have been received and are being reviewed by the Committee in preparation for tender calls. A ground breaking ceremony and initial site preparation is expected within days. Stay tuned.