Stonewall's Council is taking a proactive approach to addressing a shortage of personal care home spaces in the region. Mayor Lockie McLean says although a 70 suite expansion at the Lions Club Manor was approved by Council, they also want to start working toward future construction or expansions of personal care home facilities. He says a conversation with Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority CEO Ron Van Denakker demonstrated Stonewall is being looked at as a target for future personal care homes.

McLean says they want to try and move forward with this file as soon as they can. He feels that by allocating land specifically for a future personal care home, as well as setting up a fund to begin setting money aside for the project could help encourage the province to move forward with the work sooner, rather than later.

"Things don't happen if you just stand there on a wing and a prayer. You have to get involved, and you have to help drive the process. That's what we as a Council in Stonewall want to do. We want to do whatever we can to draw attention, and make personal care home expansion and building a reality."

McLean says with setting up the fund, they may also allow citizens to donate to the project, similar to what was done for the Tiger Hills Medical Clinic. A timeline for the actual construction of a new home has yet to be determined, but the Council has already sent letters to Premier Brian Pallister, Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen, MLA Ralph Eichler, and Denakker. McLean describes their process as aggressive, but notes it's an issue they want to see addressed in a timely manner.

"Don't be surprised once we dedicate the land if you see a nice big billboard up on that land that says 'Home of future care home in Stonewall'. I think you have to put a big bullseye on what you're trying to do and then direct everyone's attention to it. That's what we're going to do."

McLean says the required number of personal care home beds is consistently growing, and it's a need he feels Stonewall is able to address.