Federal Funding Fuels New Wellness Centre in Eastern P.E.I.

URGENT UPDATE: The federal government has just announced significant funding for a new wellness centre in Souris, P.E.I., a development hailed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the community. Local leaders and residents have long advocated for this facility, underscoring the pressing need for improved wellness infrastructure in the region.

The $1.5 million investment will support the construction of a multi-faceted wellness centre in Kings County. According to Ashley Sherbanuk, a board member of the SeaRoots Alliance, the project is designed to enhance community engagement through recreation and education. “We’re really excited to bring a wellness centre to our communities because we lack the infrastructure,” she stated.

The anticipated centre will feature an NHL-sized ice surface, a walking track, a library, and a multi-use gym, catering to residents of all ages. Megan Cheverie, treasurer of the SeaRoots Alliance, emphasized the project’s importance, calling it a “once-in-a-generation opportunity for our community.” The community has been eagerly awaiting this development, which has been in the works for over two years.

Local MP Kent MacDonald echoed the sentiment, highlighting the centre’s potential to serve as a hub for learning and recreation. “To have a facility that’s multi-faceted, that will be about learning, that will be about recreation, that will be about seniors’ facilities … that’s exciting,” he said.

The summer of 2023 saw community consultations that shaped the centre’s design, although final plans are still under development. As excitement builds, Dennis McNally, another board member, expressed eagerness to see construction begin. “I keep a shovel in the back of my truck all the time just in case,” he joked, emphasizing the careful planning required for such a significant project.

This wellness centre is expected to attract more residents and visitors to the area, enhancing the community’s vibrancy. As officials and community members prepare for the next steps, all eyes are on Souris, where groundbreaking is anticipated soon.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the SeaRoots Alliance and local government work together to make this vision a reality.