If you build it, they will come
Desjardins Caisse populaire Trillium presented $50,000 to the new Limoges Health Hub, at the site at 601 Limoges Rd. in Limoges, on Thurs., Sept. 28. Shown at the presentation are: front row from left, François Sigouin and Rachelle Sigouin both members of the Limoges Health Hub Volunteer committee; Denis Pommainville, Desjardins board member; Pierre Benoit, president of the Board of Directors Desjardins; Geneviève Evelyn Patry and Anne Boucher, board members; Stéphane Trottier, president of Ontario Caisse populaire, Harold Beock, board member; and directors Pascale Bazinet and Sarah Boumane. Shown back row from left, Daniel Brault; Normand Leroux Director General; Health Hub Volunteer Committee Chair Shirley Racine; Etienne Grandmaître St Pierre, the manager of the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie; volunteer committee member Phil Warren; and other supporters.    Vetter photo

Candice Vetter
Villager Staff
LIMOGES – The eight branches of Desjardins Caisse populaire Trillium presented $50,000 to the new Limoges Health Hub, at the site at 601 Limoges Rd. in Limoges, on Thurs., Sept. 28. A branch is situated in Limoges just down the street, and at the presentation general manager Normand Leroux said, “This new health centre will stimulate economic development and help the growing population of Limoges thrive.” He and other officials from the Caisse populaire stated they feel the venture will attract additional businesses and residents to the area, which is good for everyone.

The centre will celebrate its grand opening at 1 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 13 at 601 Limoges Rd. in Limoges. Since its inception the volunteer committee, which took the lead on getting the health centre for Limoges, have been amazed at the community response.

First St. Joseph Developments offered to build the building and assume much of the risk, then politicians at municipal and provincial levels sanctioned it eagerly, including a $425,000 grant from the province, presented in person by Premier Kathleen Wynne last fall.

Other organizations have donated time or money or both, including extensive support from The Nation Township and the Nation (Limoges) Fire Department, and future patients are eagerly signing up with the nine doctors the centre will house. There was almost immediate uptake by physicians, a dentist, a nurse practitioner, numerous other health professionals, including mental health professionals, and a Guardian Pharmacy, which is open on the building’s main level.

This latest donation from Desjardins Caisse populaire Trillium adds to the $12,500 it donated in 2013 to help the volunteer committee canvas.

The caisse populaire’s board of directors made the unanimous decision to confirm a donation of $50,000 at a board meeting in Orleans recently. Board chair Pierre Benoit said how to spend the money put into their Community Development Fund every year is decided by members at the annual general meeting. The fund is dedicated to supporting the socio-economic development of the community, of which this project is a perfect example, serving the physical, social and economic needs of the area.

Shirley Racine, who is the lead volunteer getting this project off the ground, said they have had inquiries about the centre in a wide radius around Limoges, including the townships of Russell and Nation, and numerous other communities, so it appears to be filling an important need.