INSIDE: Help Project proves a picture-perfect Christmas gift Pg. 3 T U E S D A Y
December 7, 2010
14 N E W S ,
SPORTS,
WEATHER
&
Mission QB voted Most Valuable
E N T E R T A I N M E N T abbotsfordtimes.com
CANDLELIGHT PARADE HO-HO HORNS – JEAN KONDA-WITTE/TIMES
The MEI Screaming Eagles marching band plays Christmas songs as they march during the Mission Candlelight Parade Friday night. Thousands lined the downtown route for the 27th annual event. For more photos of the event, visit us online at www.abbotsfordtimes.com.
$40M for new ‘one-stop health shop’ Mission’s multi-million dollar centre takes another step forward
ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
M
ission is one step closer to securing a multi-million dollar, centralized community health facility on the district’s hospital campus. Plans have been in the works for a number of years to build a multi-disciplinary health centre at Mission Memorial Hospital, said Mayor James Atebe. “The health care centre will provide one-stop shopping where people can get all their medical services,” said Atebe. Fraser Health is finalizing the
business case for the Mission Community Health Project before hopefully shifting to the construction phase, he said. “Fraser Health has come up with the business case, and said it was viable,” Atebe said. “That’s the good news. We haven’t been given the details. We hope they can make the full commitment to commence the project next . . . at this moment, they have only sent us positive signals.” More specific details about the scope and timeline of the project will likely come within the month, he added. The Fraser Valley Regional Hos-
pital District Board (FVRHD), a funding partner with Fraser Health, has committed $22 million to the health care centre which will group together public and mental health workers, doctors, specialists and health-related technology and services such as laboratories or screening and scanning services. Abbotsford mayor George Peary, chair of the FVRHD, said total funding for the project, including the additional dollars from Fraser Health, is expected to be just over $40 million. “It’s quite a grand scheme and [a centralized model] makes intuitive sense,” said Peary, adding it is
Small discount for city tax hike
“Fraser Health would
Could be dropped to 4.3%
like to replicate it next
ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
in Abbotsford, and then in Chilliwack.” – Mayor George Peary
an undertaking the health authority will likely employ elsewhere. “Fraser Health would like to replicate it next in Abbotsford, and then in Chilliwack.” The location for such a project would most likely be the old MSA Hospital site, he said.
A
bbotsford homeowners may be getting a small break from the 4.5 per cent tax increase expected in 2011. City staff recommended council consider a slightly lower tax hike of 4.3 per cent in 2011 at a meeting to review the city’s five-year financial plan Monday.
First reported @
abbotsfordtimes.com The new proposal would result in a one per cent increase to the capital budget see TAXES, page A12
see HEALTH, page A12
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