Dauphin will have an emergency room department by Labour Day, said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, who made the announcement, last week after touring the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
“We know that everyone in the community wants the emergency department services back. And that includes the doctors and the nurses, who have been very understanding and very flexible,” Kinew said.
The existing emergency room, Kinew added, will be a big project to get back up and running, knowing people need such a facility close to home.
“So we’re going to set up a temporary facility to deliver that by Labour Day. In the coming weeks you should start to see a lot of activity on site as it starts to take place,” he said.
“And it’s part of the bigger picture, meeting the health care needs of people in Dauphin and the surrounding areas in the Parkland, as well as getting this facility back up and running again.”
The temporary ER will be located on the hospital grounds, although the exact location has yet to be determined.
With the design and details still being worked on, the cost of setting up the temporary ER is still unknown.
Kinew stated they will look at moving other hospital services to other locations within the city. He credits the work of those involved in getting diagnostic services set up in the Provincial Building.
“I think the folks that brought the diagnostics to the Provincial Building did a great job. I’m very appreciative of that. And I think that shows that we can be creative and flexible in meeting people’s health care needs,” he said.
Local physicians, Kinew stated, have been clear about the services they need for the facility to be a fully functioning ER. The next step will be trying to locate as many of those needs as possible.
“You might see a few other locations getting pulled in, as well,” he said.
“And nurses have been also very patient and understanding. We want them to work close to home. Part of this is making sure that those nurses who do need to travel, that we’re going to make sure to the health authority that they’ve got to meet their needs.
“This is not business as usual. We’ve got to support staff, including nurses through this challenging time.”
The challenge now, Kinew said, is to recreate what was in the hospital into a new temporary ER.
“So that, if you show up after Labour Day, you’ll be able to get the doctor to take a look at you, the nurse to assess your vitals, the scans and other tests that you might need and then, of course, whatever treatments. All within a facility that would be up to the highest standard that you expect,” he said.
“It’s pretty big job, but I’m very encouraged by the teamwork and the creativity that we’re seeing from health care experts, engineers, the construction folks, the restoration folks, everybody who is coming together to work on this.”
Kinew toured the hospital, Aug. 14, and saw the damage first hand.
“The flooding was terrible. Huge damage. I think being on site extinguished the last hopes that I had that we could get back into the main building by Labour Day for emergency services,” he said.
“Labour Day has been our internal target and we were talking about how do you get back in there? But once you see condition of the basement and how much electrical and mechanical equipment is damaged, you start to realize how big this project is.”
That said, the needs of the people of Dauphin to get an emergency department, Kinew said, is just as strong, just as concrete as the impact from the hospital.
“Seeing it first hand meant that we had to say, ‘okay, those contingency plans about a temporary facility for an emergency department, that’s the way we’ve got to go. We’ve got to lean into that now.’ So I think that was the big take away from the walk through that we did,” he said.
“Plus the appreciation for all the work that the restoration folks are doing. It’s just a huge job.”
Kinew hopes as people see the work being done to get the temporary ER set up, they will start to feel reassured that Dauphin will have ER services back by Labour Day.

The annual Tamarack Golf Tournament was held at the Clear Lake Golf Course, last week, with several Parkland golfers taking part.
John Tomlinson lost his match in the men’s fifth flight, dropping him to the consolation draw, where he went on a run, winning three straight matches to win the fifth flight consolation.
Scott McCallum and Riese Gaber won the men’s scramble championship flight, winning four matches in the process.
Dale Murray of Gilbert Plains won three straight matches to win the men’s masters championship flight.
After he was eliminated in the junior fourth flight finals, Brier Odut went on to win the consolation draw.
Christian Laughland qualified for the championship flight after the qualifying rounds, before losing his opening match, dropping him to the consolation bracket, where he was eliminated in the quarterfinal.
Former Dauphinite Jason Yates qualified for the men’s second flight, where he lost his opening match, before he was eliminated in the consolation quarterfinals.
In the men’s fourth flight, Tyler Carefoot lost his opening match, then lost in the consolation quarterfinals.
James Stoesz went head-to-head with Robert Bouchard in the men’s fifth flight, with Stoesz coming out on top. He then made it to the quarterfinals and was eliminated.
Bouchard lost in the consolation quarterfinals.
Competing in the men’s sixth flight, Lawson Yates lost his Round of 16 match and went on to win the consolation, with three straight victories.
Bart Michaleski opened the sixth flight with a win and reached the semifinals before he was eliminated.
Gerald Thiessen won his opening match of the sixth flight, before he was eliminated.
Also in the sixth flight, Noah Wiens lost his opening match to drop to the consolation, where he lost in the quarterfinals.
Anthony Wiens lost in the Round of 16 in the seventh flight. He then won his consolation quarterfinal match, before losing in the semifinals.
After losing in the Round of 16 in the eighth flight, Luke Michaleski won the consolation quarterfinal match before he was eliminated in the semifinal.
Mark Odut and Lance Delamare, as well as Steve Desroches and Jake Wiens lost in the men’s scramble championship flight’s Round of 16, before they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket.
In the men’s scramble first flight, Mike Sparrow and Jerron Kyle won their opening match, before losing to former Dauphin Kings Brett Piper and Brendan Arnold in the quarterfinals.
In the men’s scramble second flight, Dave Campbell and Chris Todoruk were knocked to the consolation draw, where they won their first match before they were eliminated.
In the men’s scramble third flight, Brad Carefoot and Perry Farnsworth won their opening match, before they were knocked out of contention in the quarterfinals.
Dean Cooley, competing in the masters third flight, lost in the quarterfinals and dropped his semifinal match on the consolation draw.
Dean Murray of Gilbert Plains lost his opening match of the senior men’s championship flight, before losing in the consolation final.
Chris Carefoot and Kathy Farnsworth were eliminated after losing their match in the ladies scramble first flight quarterfinals and consolation semifinals.
Cash McCallum, competing in the junior championship flight, lost his first quarterfinal match, before he was eliminated in the consolation semifinal.
Ethan Zalischuk reached the final of the junior first flight before bowing out.

The Parkland Mavericks’ game against the Winnipeg Assassins, scheduled for Saturday in Dauphin, was cancelled after the Winnipeg squad forfeited the game.
Mavericks captain Jordan Campbell said it was disappointing the game was cancelled.
“We were getting the field ready. We spent some money on the paint. Guys took time off of work making sure they were available. And, yeah, a lot of people were pretty upset. But it happens,” he said.
Campbell said the relationship between the Assassins and the Mavericks has always been a good one and he expects it to be a one-off event.
“I know that they played Thursday and they had 30 guys and they only had nine for the Saturday game,” he added.
Now the Mavericks will shift their focus to their next game, Saturday in Winnipeg against the Wasps.
The Mavericks want to play as many games as possible to be fine-tuned for the playoffs and they will be ready to go against the Wasps.
“We’ll just have to work on some more things and maybe have a little intrasquad game this week,” Campbell said.
Campbell is looking forward to the final two road games as they get ready for the playoffs.
“The boys are excited. We want to have the chance to go to Winnipeg and beat up on some Winnipeg teams,” he said.
The final game of the regular season will take place, Sept. 12, when the Mavericks play the Winnipeg Wombats.

The Parkland Chamber of Commerce has set a new date for its Street Fair.
The annual event originally scheduled for July 30, will now be held, Sept. 18, at CN Park and along 1st Avenue NW.
With a lot going on in September with Culture Days just starting, Chamber executive director Kamryn Winters said competing with different events on weekends is not something the Chamber would like to do.
“So the Friday made the most sense for the Chamber to put it on. The issue with kids being in school that day is something that we’re aware of,” she said.
“We’re hoping to have more day care kid-friendly activities during the day and then keep the kid zone open later into the night so that kids that are in school can still come to the street fair after school or on their lunch hour if they’re in high school and just enjoy the street fair into the night.”
With the Dauphin Kings playing their home opener the next night, Winters also wanted to tie the street fair in with that.
“We ideally wanted to do something like a food truck war with the Kings for their home opener. A tailgate party on the Saturday. We even extended an invite to our vendors from the street fair to stay for a second day and come to the tailgate party,” she said.
“Hopefully, we get some taking that. We really just wanted to promote a whole weekend of activities. There’s a lot of Chamber members that are doing things over the weekend.”
The Chamber is now looking for vendors who want to set up a booth at the street fair, as well as volunteers to help set up and tear down.
Anyone interested can visit the Chamber’s website at parklandchamber.ca.
Winters is looking forward to a successful street fair.
“I’m hoping that everybody comes out to enjoy the street fair in fall fashion,” she said.

The Parkland Mavericks opened their second half schedule with a 42-10 victory over the Winnipeg Wanderers, Saturday in Dauphin.
Ronin Mouck led the way with three tries and two converts. Joseph Lopez, Will Miner and Daniel Evans also had tries, while Evans chipped in with four converts.
Mavericks captain Jordan Campbell felt the Mavericks were not at their best, but managed to get the job done.
“We looked a little sloppy. But overall, we’re happy with the outcome, that’s for sure,” he said.
The Mavericks were called for a number of penalties throughout the game, but it didn’t cost them as they kept the Wanderers from getting too many opportunities to score.
Campbell was impressed with how the Mavericks supported each other throughout the contest.
“We kind of picked each other up. Morale was high. But the young guys showed up. They were ready to run, which they did really well today,” he said, adding the Mavericks need to pick up the intensity and make sure they are getting ready for the playoffs.
“We’ve got three more games to really hammer it out,” he added.
At 6-2, the Mavericks will look to go undefeated in the final three games.
The next game is Saturday at 2 p.m., when the Mavericks host the Winnipeg Assassins.
“They’re going to come hungry to beat us. I know that they’ve lost a few in Div. 2, so come and watch,” Campbell said.

Shelly Love shot an 83 to win the Dauphin Ladies Club Championship, Sunday, at the Dauphin Lake Golf Club.
Donna Davidson finished second, nine shots back of Love. Linda Kitching’s 98 was good for third place on a count back.
Colleen Johnson shot a 99 to win the first flight on a count back. Verna Vanrobaeys was second with a 115 and placing third was Lori Bourque who shot a 122.
Margo Elliott won the second flight on a count back, shooting a 123. Bertha Davis was four shots back to finish second, while Eleanor Snitka was third on a count back with a 129.
Barb Hrehirchuk’s 132 won her the top spot in the third flight, two strokes ahead of Theresa Zabiaka. Leana Compton was third with a 138.
Cindy Schroder won the Most Honest Golfer after shooting a 156. Compton won the closest-to-the-hole on no. 11.

Thirty-eight teams hit the links at the Dauphin Lake Golf Club, Saturday, for the Pine Creek four-person best ball golf tournament.
The team of Darryl Lacquette, Tyler Lacquette, Jose Lacquette and Evan won the tournament, finishing with a 56.
Winning the first flight was the foursome comprising of Chief Barry McKay, Chad Facey, Derek and Shawn McQuarrie, shooting a 57.
Larry Nepinak Jr., Earl Thompson, Taylor Fletcher and Al Cote were awarded second place on a countback over Dion Anderson, Adam Anderson, Kyle Sinclair and Lou Shorting. Both teams shot a 58.
Keith Pangman, Shawn Pangman, Tyson Pangman and Brad Belhumeur combined to shoot a 60, good enough for first place in the second flight on a countback.
In second place were Dustin Mousseau, Aaron Lavasseur, Rodger Roulette and Rodger Roulette Jr., while in third place was Chris Stranger, Dwayne McCorrister, Pat McKay and Cooters, with a 61.
Rey Cook, Nelson Leaske, Able Gott and Dennis Chartrand teamed up to shoot a 63 to win the third flight.
Greg Starr, Waylon Eastman, Drake Starr and Wade Aitkens took second place on a countback with a 64. In third place was the team of Russell Beaulieu, Albert B., Rob Mousseau and Mike Prince.
Closest-to-the-hole winners were Darcy Pelletier on no. 2, Farron Genaille on no. 6, Gott on no. 9, Jose Lacquette on no. 11 and Belhumeur on no. 14.
Genaille also had the men’s longest drive, while Mya Kubrakovich had the women’s longest drive. Jose Lacquette won the putting contest and McQuarrie won the chip-off.

The future of the Gilbert Plains Country Club could be decided this week at a board meeting, slated for today.
The local golf course was devastated by flooding in late June and early July. And while staff have been working on repairing the course, the board has also begun fund-raising to cover the $100,000 insurance deductible.
GPCC general manager Scott McCallum said they reached out to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries to get a license to hold a 50-50 draw.
“The turn around time on that was four to six weeks and that was time we felt we didn’t have,” he said.
So GPCC reached out to the Dauphin Kings to use their 50-50 system and the draw began last month.
“We’re very thankful for that. And it’s going pretty well. It’s over $13,000 now and, l;ike anything, the bigger the pot, the more people will buy. So it’s going well,” McCallum said.
The draw will be made, Aug. 30, at noon. At this time, tickets can only be purchased online at DauphinKings5050.ca.
To assist with the fund-raising efforts, Park View Private Wealth Management Ltd. launched the Parkland Business Challenge with a $500 donation toward the deductible and is inviting other Parkland businesses to support the cause.
“It’s been very successful and people are being extremely generous. We’re just so thankful for everybody that’s thinking of us and helping out in whatever way they can. There’s certainly no donation too small,” McCallum said.
Seeing that support from businesses throughout the Parkland and beyond is incredible, McCallum said.
Golf courses throughout the province have also stepped up to support GPCC, with Dauphin, Neepawa, Minnedosa and Swan River offering discounts to GPCC members.
“There’s several golf courses that have reached out to us and they have some things planned for how they can help us,” McCallum said.
“And not only help us, but help our members, because, at the end of the day, our members are the ones that we’re most concerned about and they’re the ones that are losing their golf course. It’s sad, but it’s also something to celebrate to see how much people come together and support each other through times like this.”
Some courses, McCallum added, were able to take on some of the tournaments scheduled for GPCC this year.
“As sad as it is, it’s heartwarming in other areas at times,” he said.
McCallum thanks everyone in helping to publicize the fund-raising efforts.
“We’re a small non-for-profit golf course, but we know that we’re loved, obviously, by a lot of people. So it’s going to make things a little easier down the road,” he said.