Big Lakes County Council is proud to announce its support for the construction of the Maskwa Medical Centre, an innovative healthcare initiative designed to enhance access to medical specialists and family physicians across northern Alberta.
At a recent Council meeting, Big Lakes County committed to a three-year funding agreement to support the capital costs of building the Maskwa Medical Centre. The County will provide equal payments of $282,313 in 2025, 2026, and 2027, for a total contribution of $846,940 toward the project. This amount is based on the County’s population of 4,982 residents (as per the 2024 Alberta Regional Dashboard), multiplied by $170 per capita, as proposed by the Maskwa Medical Board.
Maskwa is an Alberta-based, not-for-profit registered charity led by residents of the Peace Region. With a mission to improve access to timely, high-quality care, Maskwa is focused on accelerating specialist consultations and family physician access for rural and northern communities.
The Maskwa Medical Centre will serve the region in three key ways:
- No overall increase in health care costs for the healthcare system – will reduce long term health care costs
- Improving the quality of care for patients in the region
- Attracting and retaining physicians
The Centre will feature a specialist clinic, a teaching clinic to support physician training, and space for new family physicians. In addition, it will house a retail floor with access to pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and a daycare, making it a fully integrated health services hub for the region.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Centre was held on Tuesday, May 20, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the future site adjacent to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. The event brought together community leaders, healthcare advocates, and partners to celebrate this important step toward delivering accessible, community-focused healthcare for the Peace Region.
“Big Lakes County is proud to invest in the future of healthcare for our residents,” said Big Lakes County Reeve Tyler Airth. “The Maskwa Medical Centre will significantly improve access to quality care, help attract and retain doctors in our region, and provide real, lasting benefits for families across our communities. We are excited to be part of this transformative project.”
Big Lakes County’s support reflects its ongoing commitment to improving the health and well-being of its residents and ensuring sustainable, high-quality services for future generations.
For more information about the Maskwa Medical Centre, please visit www.maskwamedical.ca.
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Victoria Zahacy
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Phone: 780-523-5955
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