While the announcement of a new hospital wasn't a huge surprise for many in Weyburn on Friday, it was exciting nonetheless. The new building, a 35-bed facility, is expected to begin construction soon and be completed by 2023.

For many in the community, the efforts of those who helped raise funds for this project years ago did not go unnoticed. Both the R.M of Weyburn and the Mayor applauded the efforts made.

"It's very exciting," explained Carmen Sterling, Reeve of the R.M of Weyburn. "I think a lot of people didn't realize that fundraising began in 1975 and so there had been an undertaking then. But it really began in earnest with the transition to the foundation in 2008."

She explained that for the past 12 years they have been raising funds for the new facility. However, it was not only Weyburn that raised funds and made contributions to this project but also eight other municipalities around Weyburn as well.  Sterling added that this project is not just for Weyburn, but those around us as well.

"It's great news for Weyburn," Weyburn Mayor, Marcel Roy commented. "They've committed that it will be built by 2023 and that is really great news."

While the new facility will have fewer beds than the original Weyburn Hospital, Roy explains that it is not a concern for the community as currently only a fraction of beds are being used. Roy cited the new hospital that was built in Estevan, explaining how only a small percentage of the beds were actively being used.

You can read more about the new hospital and details about its construction here.