CONSTRUCTION LAUNCH FOR DUBÉ CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Saskatoon Health Region, the Ministry of Health and special guests today officially kicked off construction of the new $20-million Irene and Leslie Dubé Centre for Mental Health, which will improve mental health services in the region and the province.

"I am thrilled that this centre will be built overlooking the South Saskatchewan River," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "This peaceful location, plus the improvements to treatment spaces and the addition of a separate area for young people, will create an ideal healing environment for those in our society who are the most vulnerable."

"This new facility and the opportunity it brings to develop client-centred, community-based recovery treatment programs shows that people living with mental health are valued within our community and they and their families deserve the same dignity and respect that would be afforded to any other person accessing health services," Schizophrenia Society Saskatoon Chapter president Jake Ens said.

"Today is an example of strong partnerships and the generosity of so many wonderful people," Saskatoon Regional Health Authority chair Darlene Eberle said. "We are so grateful to our physicians and staff for their commitment to client-centred care, the clients and their families for their ongoing feedback, the Ministry of Health and Foundations for helping secure funding, the University of Saskatchewan for leasing the land and, of course, Irene and Leslie Dubé and all the other donors."

The Ministry of Health is paying 65 per cent of construction and design costs. The Royal University and Saskatoon City Hospital Foundations are co-sponsoring The Future in Mind campaign, which continues to raise money for the new facility. The foundations have been instrumental in securing 35 per cent of construction costs and 100 per cent of the cost of furnishings and equipment.

The two inpatient units at Saskatoon City Hospital and Royal University Hospital will be amalgamated and housed within the new Dubé Centre. The new facility will accommodate two adult units totalling 54 beds and a separate 10-bed child/adolescent unit.

Saskatoon Health Region awarded the tender to Quorex Construction. The facility is scheduled to be operational by late 2009.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: adinsmore@health.gov.sk.ca

James Winkel
Saskatoon Health Region
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-655-3253