Future fundraising for the Nipissing Serenity Hospice just got a lot easier thanks to the Ford government.
When ground was broken at the John Street site to build a 10-bed end-of-life care facility, the province announced it would cover the cost of six beds.
However, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli says the Ford government will now cover the cost of all 10 beds.
The cost to cover the extra four beds is $800,000.
In addition, Fedeli also says the province will contribute ongoing annual funding of $1,050,000 for base operating costs.
The news elated Mathilde Bazinet, the chair of Nipissing Serenity Hospice.
Bazinet says with the extra money from the province, the group can now focus future fundraising efforts towards operational shortfalls.
Bazinet also says the Ford government did the right thing in paying for all 10 beds.
That’s because Sudbury is getting full provincial funding for the 20 hospice beds being constructed there and Sault Ste. Marie is in line for full funding for the 11 beds it’s going to see.
Nipissing Serenity Hospice has been lobbying for the North Bay location for years.
It all came to fruition on August 11th when the ground-breaking ceremony took place at the John Street location.
Construction at the site continues and the 10-bed facility is scheduled to open next September.
