Community Driven Medical Centre is a Boon for all of South Bruce

In December 2019, the Teeswater Medical Development Steering Committee was formed, and co-chairs Larry Hayes and Paul Cronin describe the project as an effort to secure sustainable, long term medical services in Teeswater.

The committee was responsible for directing all aspects of the planning, design and construction of the Teeswater Medical Centre Development Project. Hayes states that the committee commenced operations by building out the vision for the centre.

The committee looked to the Mildmay Medical Centre, and neighbouring medical centres as a model for the facility. In addition a community engagement survey was conducted to determine the needs and wants for the facility.

“With the help of the Wingham Hospital Alliance, we did a poll for all our residents to see what they want in town,” said Hayes. “We wanted other tenants, medically related, [for the centre] and it was all based on input from a survey we did and the summary of that survey from all of our residents in the area.

Cronin and Hayes explain that following direction from the community, they had a very successful fundraising campaign that saw sweeping support from community members, businesses, and local organizations. They note that the project is for the community, by the community, at minimal cost to the community.

The Teeswater Medical Centre Committee has since transitioned to become a non-profit board of directors to oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility.

“The building is being run at essentially no cost to the Municipality. The Municipality owns the building, but we are responsible for heat, hydro, cleaning, and all the maintenance,” said Cronin.

The committee is currently $150,000 shy of its total fundraising goal of $2.6 million. Cronin and Hayes share their pride in co-chairing a project that came in under budget, alongside a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers. The committee has achieved a resounding success in fulfilling its goal of securing medical services for the community.

“We’ve retained our doctor, we have the pharmacy, which is sort of our anchor, and our basement has tenants that offer health services,” said Hayes.

Teeswater Medical Centre tenants include a family doctor, nurse practitioner, and the Teeswater Pharmacy. Hear Right Canada (auditory services), Masters Physio and Wellness (physio services), and Glamorous Touch (aesthetic services) are also offered through the medical centre.

Cronin details the importance the committee placed on ensuring the facility be fully accessible so that all will have the opportunity to use the services. In the pursuit of fulsome accessibility, an accessibility consultant was retained to offer unique perspectives for the committee to consider during the planning and construction of the facility.

The Teeswater Medical Centre is open from 9 AM – 6 PM Mondays through Saturdays at 28 Clinton St S, Teeswater.
The facility is a testament to the work of the steering committee. Cronin and Hayes note how participation in the project appeals to the individuals’ sense of civic duty to give back to the community and to follow in the footsteps of generations of South Bruce volunteers.

This article is part of an ongoing Community Revitalization series initiated by the Municipality of South Bruce.