Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau took an opportunity in Council Chambers to purchase a Healthcare Lottery ticket from Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation Executive Directory Tracy Murray.

Hub Staff

Tracy Murray, Executive Director of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) presented a fundraising update to Saugeen Shores Council during the May 13 Committee of Whole meeing in Port Elgin.

Murray started with a currant tally for the Gran Fondo event and said with 375 registered riders and 40 corporate teams they are well ahead of where they were last year at this time. SMHF is expecting between 800 and 1,000 riders for the 2019 race and Murray reminded Council that this does not account for the one to two support people that accompany each participant. She suggested we could be seeing 2,000 to 3,000 in attendance.

Murray also spoke to the success of their first ever Healthcare Lottery and reported tickets sales have now surpassed $12,500 in four weeks. She also said that the community response has been very positive and is grateful for these funds flowing directly to our local hospital.

Mayor Luke Charbonneau took advantage of the opportunity to purchase a lottery ticket, securing himself entry to all 21 draws that will take place between now and Christmas.

Murray announced another new project for 2019, the Light the Way Community Calendar. SMHF will be working with GC Huston Public School and Northport Elementary School students to create artwork and document stories of local children who have used the Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton. Each month has been sponsored by a local business, including the calendar cover.

Lastly, the SMHF Director commented on the recent application submitted for a CT scanner. If approved the new equipment would require $3 million in funding for purchase, installation and renovations.

“This will be a tremendous benefit to our community," said Murray. “It would increase service capacity, reduce wait times and cost for nurse escort for patients going to get CTs elsewhere.”

Charbonneau appreciated that the focus of SMHF was aligned with that of the town’s. "Serving our growing community, that is one thing that we are pretty preoccupied with around here and glad that you are preoccupied with it as well,” said Charbonneau. “This CT scanner is a great addition to that concept of being able to provide those services here in the community.”