CAT LAKE – The modular units for a temporary nursing station in Cat Lake have arrived.
CAT LAKE – The modular units for a temporary nursing station in Cat Lake have arrived.
In fact, Chief Russell Wesley said this week, the seven units have been pieced together for the basic structure of the nursing station.
Now the gaps between the units need to be sealed and insulated for the station’s opening by late April at the earliest, Wesley said.
It’s a quick turnaround from the fire that destroyed the remote First Nation’s Margaret Gray Nursing Station on March 2, and Wesley credited the weather and timely support from Ottawa.
Winter road season started late but the region’s weather remained cold enough for the modulars to be hauled in, he said.
“As a matter of fact, the reports are coming back from a bunch of road users that the winter roads are still very solid and we still have at least another week left,” he added.
“I’m really glad that spring decided to be late.”
Indigenous Services Canada came through with $2.8 million in funding for the modular units’ purchase, transport and setup.
“Following the devastating fire of Cat Lake First Nation’s nursing station, the federal government committed to being by the community’s side, and we meant it,” said Jennifer Kozelj, press secretary to Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu.
After the fire, the nursing station set up shop at a building the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry uses in warmer months as a base for forest firefighters.
Starting today, the nurses will be providing their services at another structure until the new modulars are ready for use.
A new permanent nursing station had been designed before the blaze and will be built in the next couple of years, Wesley said.
The 82 residents who were evacuated to Thunder Bay for medical reasons on March 8 will remain there until the nursing station is fully operational, Cat Lake spokesperson Vicki Blanchard said.
The precise cause is for the Office of the Fire Marshal to determine, the police spokesperson added.
Besides the modular units’ arrival and assembly, Wesley had other good news. A boil-water advisory made in late February has been lifted.