Melfort council debates hospital helipad
Does the city of Melfort need a helipad at the local hospital?
The topic led to a lengthy debate among council Thursday, during a special meeting. The city’s health advocacy committee recently began investigating the feasibility of a helicopter landing pad at the hospital with a resolution asking the committee seek “gifts in kind” to pay for the project. The resolution was amended to not seek funding until the newly formed Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) show support for the construction.
Councillor Doug Terry was the lone member of the group to vote against the motion. Terry said he’s not opposed to the helipad, but argued the city needs to stay focused on other healthcare items.
“I am just saying slow down. Let’s go back to point one, which is what the intent of that committee was,” Terry said after the meeting. “That was to seek enhanced diagnostic equipment capability in our community. To me, I’m afraid this would take a priority away and have everybody running towards the helipad and forget what we’re trying to do.”