Supporters of the Nipissing Serenity Hospice expect to put a shovel in the ground early this summer to start building their dream of having a hospice located in North Bay. A hospice is a home providing care for the terminally ill.
"Right now the fundraising is going well," Sandy Graham, chair of the Building and Property Committee told BayToday. "We're planning on a start in June of this year."
See: Hospice finally finds a home
The hospice will be located on John St. at the site of the old CN railway tracks and will border on Chippewa Creek opposite the Kate Pace Way and Laurier Woods.
The City donated the property and the building will look out onto the creek and wooded area.
See: Council authorizes sale of surplus land to Serenity Hospice
"We're very pleased with the results," said Graham. "The construction period will last about a year. We're thinking summer of 2018."
The announcement last year met with an enthusiastic public response.
"We're having great reception from the citizens. Fundraising is going well. To date there have been no objections."
The committee is hoping for a grant from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund similar to what Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie received, and that will put them about half way to their six million dollar target.
"People have been very generous, added Graham."
Their major fundraising event "Hike for Hospice" raised $65,000 last year, and Graham is optimistic that at least that much can be raised this year.
Hike for Hospice is a national event, and this year Nipissing Serenity Hospice is hosting their 2nd annual Hike for Hospice on Sunday May 7th in the beautiful trails of Laurier Woods.
Get your teams ready, for further information see www.nipissingserenityhospice.
