Huron Shores Hospice officially opens one-bed suite at Tiverton Park Manor

A jubilant crowd gathered in the hallway outside the Huron Shores Hospice one-bed suite in Tiverton Park Manor for the ribbon-cutting to officially open the facility, Wednesday afternoon.

Cheryl Cottrill, chairperson of the hospice board of directors, welcomed everyone and said the project took five-and-a-half years of planning and fund-raising.

“This is a community celebration,” she said. “Thanks to the generosity of this community, we are opening our first residential hospice bed.”

Cottrill thanked everyone for the tremendous show of support for the hospice.

“Today, we celebrate this success with you,” she said, urging her fellow organizers, Peggy Zeppieri and Joan Eaglesham, to join her for the announcement.

Cottrill gave special mention to Dr. Damian Gunaratne, medical director of the hospice; Cathy Herbert, hospice co-ordinator; and Carol Rencheck, board member; Colleen, Paul and Duncan Hamann of Tiverton Park Manor; and the VON which is taking over recruitment, scheduling and training of volunteers at the hospice.

She also thanked the many sponsors, including Duncan and Lesley Hawthorne who donated $94,000 plus advice and support for the project; Bruce Power which was the first corporate sponsor, with $85,000, plus high-level sponsorship of all fund-raising events; Bruce Telecom, $15,000, plus complimentary communications services for four years; and many others, including the Kincardine Physicians Group, Municipality of Kincardine, the Power Workers' Union, Ontario Power Generation, Linda Bowers, Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Community Foundation Grey Bruce, the Lucknow and District Kinsmen Club, and Superheat FGH.

Numerous in-kind contributions were mentioned, including Peter Little of Little's Furniture in Port Elgin, who donated more than $9,000 in furnishings for the suite; the Carpenter's Union of Goderich, led by Ryan Plante, for renovating the suite – painting, and installing trim and fixtures - to the tune of $8,000 in volunteer hours, plus a donation of $2,000; Judy Ross and family donated the motorized reclining chair in the patient's room; Sleepers Bed Gallery donated the bedding; Mary Lou Franklin donated the hospital bed in memory of her husband, Stan; and the Kincardine Sunset Quilters' Guild made a beautiful quilt for the hospital bed.

The list includes many more names of individuals, groups and organizations that offered in-kind donations and assistance, as well as expertise and guidance about palliative care and hospice services. A coffee table book in the suite outlines all the work that has gone into the facility, as well as the donors.

Cottrill also noted that the Kincardine Legion and the Tiverton Lions Club have joined forces with Huron Shores Hospice on the Catch the Ace lottery, raising money for the next phase of the hospice project which is a second suite at the manor.

“The hospice is so important to our community,” said Cottrill, “because people have the right to die in dignity, in the community where they live, surrounded by those who love them.

“That's what we're celebrating today, opening our one-bed suite, and now we ask for your continued support to open a second suite.”

Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb congratulated the hospice committee and the community on the opening of this facility.

“It takes a lot of people working together to make this happen,” he said. “There is a real need for hospice, providing end-of-life care that is dignified and respectful for all. God bless all of you and all who use this facility.”

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson echoed those sentiments, adding her pride and respect for the women who began the project five-and-a-half years ago.

“This is living proof that when you get government out of the way, you can make a project work,” she said. “This community has a lot of heart and enthusiasm, and this hospice will only make this community stronger.”

Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie said this facility would have been wonderful to have when her father was facing the end of his life, especially during the final two to three weeks.

“This is a much needed project,” she said. “Thanks to Cheryl (Cottrill) and all the committee members for making this a success. This hospice will serve the people of Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss and Saugeen Shores. Thanks to all who donated their money, time, materials and expertise. I'm confident Phase 2 will also be a great success.”

Mike Rencheck, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power, offered congratulations and said his company was proud to be part of Phase 1, and looks forward to supporting Phase 2.

Located at the north end of the manor, the suite includes: the patient's room with a hospital bed, dresser, motorized reclining chair, and an alcove with a coffee table, chairs and book shelves; a small kitchen; a large-sized bathroom; and a family room with a king-sized bed, reclining chair, closet and children's play area.

Beautiful, meaningful artwork by Jessica Cormier of Kincardine, is on the walls; and there is a donor plaque mounted on one wall, honouring all those who contributed to the project.

The medical director and his team will determine, through a strict criteria, the priority patient requiring use of the hospice suite.