Selkirk Medical Group has asked City of Revelstoke councillors to deny the option of a medical centre at the old Mountain View Elementary.
Gareth Jones is planning to purchase the property from the school district, if the city approves his current application for a heritage revitalization agreement and rezoning. Jones first wants to install a craft distillery on building’s the first floor. He also has plans for a medical centre on the bottom floor and an apartment on the second (read the full scope of plans here).
He has applied for zoning that would allow a long list of uses in the building. This includes apartment buildings, a craft distillery, microbrewery, liquor primary establishment, health service centres and clinics, business and professional offices, cafes and restaurants, schools and associated playgrounds, community care facilities, churches, associated assembly halls and associated residential use, day care facilities, public assembly and entertainment uses.
The public hearing on the property is scheduled at the regular city council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. After hearing from the public, city councillors will vote whether to pass his applications for a third time.
Selkirk Medical Group’s managing associate Dr. Cameron MacLeod has submitted the only letter as part of the public comments.
In the three-page letter, MacLeod describes Selkirk Medical Group’s dedication to Revelstoke and the community and argues that the demand for medical services is not great enough to support a second centre at this time. He states his concern is for his staff, who rely on the current demand to make a life here.
“Despite our success recruiting new doctors with enhanced skills, there have been concerns whether the relatively small population of Revelstoke can support the clinical practices of so many physicians,” Dr. MacLeod wrote.
“While the surgical service is essential to the delivery of care to our population, the volume of work available at our hospital for GP Surgeons and GP Anesthetists forms only a minor part of their practice. As a small community, Revelstoke doesn’t have the luxury of a population sufficient to support dedicated hospital surgeons or anesthetists.
“Physicians in Revelstoke with enhanced skills are still dependant on their clinical family practices to ensure a viable income and livelihood. Promising a viable family practice was an essential consideration in recruiting our new physicians. While our successful recruitment efforts have solved the core issue of a sustainable surgical service, it is less clear whether there is adequate demand to support so many family practices.”
MacLeod does concede that there may be a need for more medical services at a later date.
“In the future, it is probable that the population of Revelstoke will grow such that further recruitment will be required,” MacLeod wrote. “At that time, a new clinic would be welcomed by the existing medical staff. However, we would hope any recruitment efforts would consider the broader needs of the community including our hospital-based emergency and surgical services. We would further hope that any physicians participating in a new clinic would approach the existing medical community in the spirit of collegiality and teamwork.”
Jones said he understands MacLeod’s concerns but said his business plans are to grow organically. Getting the craft distillery running is the first step.
“We’re not some massive organisation, we’re one small business trying to bring one beautiful building back to life,” he said.
Jones said he has been in contact with Interior Health, Doctors of B.C., and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (PBSC) regarding his medical centre plans. He said they have all shown support and he is discussing his proposed policies and protocols with the PSBC.
“We haven’t gone into this lightly,” he said. “Obviously there’s been a lot of research, local market research — I’ve spoken to a number of people — and I’ve spoken to a number of strategic partners.”
Jones said the health service zoning use is not unusual for many downtown properties and it would be unusual for the city to not allow it.
“It would be almost punitive to one establishment when there is a whole myriad of other places that could have that aspect,” he said.
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