Killarney Guide

Project at the personal care home will create a great space for friends and family to meet

BY LAURIE CAMPBELL, Friends of Killarney Hospital member

The Friends of Killarney Hospital group is pleased to announce that the current project we are supporting at the Killarney Tri-Lake Hospital is to renovate the screened-in room at the entrance of Bayside into a beautiful three-season room.  

It was last spring when COVID hit that the idea came to light that we needed to make this room usable and functional for the residents of Bayside to enjoy, and for their families to visit in.  

I personally was visiting a family friend in Bayside, and it was not a great experience for the residents, as the screened-in room was dark and cold in the early days of spring, and for the families it was not very private or comfortable.  

It was in early spring of 2020 when The Friends of Killarney Hospital presented the idea to the Tri-Lake Hospital, and asked them to apply for a government grant supporting COVID projects.  

The hospital received $20,000 from that application.  This grant process was facilitated through the Killarney Foundation.  That grant was just the start of the fundraising, as the project was estimated to cost $70,000. 

The Friends of Killarney Hospital knew we needed to find a sponsor to assist with the project.  

We reached out to the Kinsmen Club to see if they would be interested in partnering on the project.  We called Bart Sutherland and asked if we could present to the club. In true Bart-fashion he said, ‘Absolutely we would love you to come and talk to us.’  Bart had a loved family member in Bayside as well, so he understood the need for the project.  

I presented to the Kinsmen Club last fall, and one hour later I got the call that they wanted to be part of the project, and would commit to $40,000.  

I was overwhelmed by the generosity of these men.  I really respect the Kinsmen Club, and the forethought that they had in building their campground and business in Killarney.  

The impact that the Kinsmen Club has on our community is amazing.  You do not have to look far in our community to see where the Kinsmen have donated and supported. 

We are so appreciative of this renovation donation, and the passion this club has for our hospital and our community. 

This amazing donation allowed us to start the planning process with the capital team at Prairie Mountain Health. The scope of this project is to have new floor-to-ceiling windows, electrical/lights, flooring, new doors that are wheelchair accessible, cabinetry, and an air conditioning/heater unit.  

No matter the weather, providing a space where family and residents can spend quality time is the goal of this project. 

We want the residents to feel like they are sitting on a patio. We believe the three-season room will be a wonderful addition to Bayside. 

Although we had planned for an early July beginning, work on the project itself has not yet started, as we are still fundraising for approximately $30,000 more for costs.

BIG DONATION FOR BAYSIDE RENOVATION – Killarney Kinsmen members (from left) Colin Beaupre, Bart Sutherland, Curt Struth and Jim Hawkins recently presented Laurie Campbell (right) with a $40,000 cheque to go towards the reconstruction of Bayside’s screened-in room into a beautiful three-season room.

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE

SCREEN ROOM VISIT – Pat Hay visits with her husband Bud last summer at the screened-in room at the entrance of Bayside Personal Care Home. This space, which will be renovated into a beautiful three-season room, has allowed family members to visit during COVID-19 restrictions. Bud Hay (inside the screened-in room, right) passed away recently.

LAURIE CAMPBELL/PHOTOS