Carberry town council met earlier this week to discuss a variety of topics, including a necessary upgrade to the Carberry Health Centre.

Mayor Stuart Olmstead says they need to see some upgrades including a room with a shower, sink, and toilet. They also want to add a bathtub and ceiling track. The cost is approximately $125,000.

"We were assured earlier this summer that project would be taking place underneath the auspice of the Prairie Mountain health region. That is not quite happening as it was promised to us earlier," says Olmstead. "It feels like they're very much shaking us down for a certain amount of money to basically complete the project or come forth with money to have that project moved up on the list."

He says this is the second time since the building was built 22 years ago that a major renovation was needed. Back when he first joined council, he says the air conditioning in the building needed to be fixed -- something that should have been done when the facility was first built. He says that's the same thing happening now.

He adds, they had already met with the Prairie Mountain Health board and were told the money was there and the project would be done. Now, Olmstead says they have changed their tune.

"It's very frustrating when you have one side saying, 'Yep, we're going to do it' and then coming back a couple months later saying, 'Well, we're going to do it as long as you give us a certain amount of money'. It very much feels like we're having a double dip taxation," says Olmstead. "We pay taxes to have a health care facility in our community and then they come back to us and say, 'Well, you know, we need some more money for that.'"

He says town council wants to have a "long sit down" with their local MLA to figure out why this is happening. 

Carberry Health Centre photo