The new Quill Plains Centennial Lodge slated for Watson is entering the next stage toward realization. 

The Saskatchewan Government announced it is entering the planning phase for the proposed multi-million-dollar facility. The project enters this phase following a series of meetings with SHA officials, municipal officials, representatives of the Centennial Lodge and Ministry personnel. Those meetings culminated in the completion of a needs assessment which focused on current and future needs. 

"Our government is committed to providing safe and comfortable care to seniors throughout Saskatchewan," Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley said. "I am pleased that plans are underway for a new long-term care home in Watson, and I look forward to seeing the progress toward construction." 

Based on the results of the needs assessment, the intent is to provide seven additional long-term beds to the community, bringing the total to 60 from 53. Now a business case will be developed to determine the fiscal viability of the plan.  

“It seems that people are finally seeing that the project is going to move forward,” said Watson’s mayor Norma Weber. “It is very likely going to be a whole new build, and so the money is starting to come in and people are starting to commit themselves to the project now knowing it is to go forward.” 

The funding portion provided by the community, local municipalities and the Centennial Lodge committee will purchase furnishings and other important components. That fundraising is ongoing.  

"The Saskatchewan Health Authority is pleased to see the continued support for expanded long-term care in the town of Watson," Saskatchewan Health Authority Vice President of Quality, Safety and Chief Information Officer Michelle Mula said. "Through the business case phase, the Saskatchewan Health Authority will help inform the types of health service that are critical to this community as we continue to prioritize care as close to home as possible." 

"It's very exciting to see the Watson Long-Term Care home project moving into the business case phase," Melfort MLA Todd Goudy said. "The early planning will help bring this project one step closer to procurement, design, construction and ultimately opening to serve the Watson community." 

Business case development includes: an analysis of infrastructure options; scoping of building and land size requirements; environmental and heritage reviews; a traffic impact assessment; utility, zoning, drainage and geotechnical scanning; a preliminary high-level cost estimate of each option; and a Procurement Options Analysis to determine the best procurement strategy. 

The business case phase prepares the project team to enter into pre-design and design and supports the fundraising efforts by the community.