A committee working to raise funds for the expansion of the Tiger Hills Medical Clinic is going to have to hit the fundraising trail once again. The project, which is being funded entirely through donations, is being sponsored by the community development corporations in both the RM of Victoria, and the Municipality of Norfolk-Treherne. While the initial cost estimate indicated the expansion would cost $500,000 that's increased substantially, after the tender was accepted in accordance with the regional health authority guidelines.

Norfolk-Treherne Reeve Craig Spencer says the committee had already raised about 90 per cent of the total cost, but now the expansion's expected to cost around $750,000. While they're a bit behind in their fundraising now, the project's still going to be designed over the winter with the intention of breaking ground in the spring. Spencer admits the committee wasn't pleased with the significant cost increase, but feels it was really out of their control.

"It's built by the RHA under their auspices on their land. Basically, as a committee, we fundraise for it. There was no money available from the province or Manitoba Health. If this was going to happen, it had to be done within the community. We're a highly motivated group, so we're going to be going out and seeing how we can raise funds."

He says they'll once again be reaching out to the public for donations, and hopes to see similar support this time around. Spencer feels the expansion's vital for the future of the region's health care, as a way to retain doctors, while also increasing their numbers.

"It's about looking after the health care needs of ourselves in our community and outside, and to make this continuing as a centre of medical --I'll say-- expertise in a fairly large region."