Professional centre to bring doctors to IDC

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This article was published 24/02/2018 (2245 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The physician behind a two-storey mixed-use complex going up in Ile des Chenes says he’s confident the $1.5 million project will bring more doctors and important services to the rapidly growing community he calls home.

“The whole idea was for a professional centre,” said Dr Philip Hughes, who helms the project together with Arthur Adam, his business partner and the centre’s CEO.

General contractor Macro Homes is overseeing construction of the 9,000-sq-ft. building, located next to the community’s Canada Post outlet at 430 Main Street, on a lot that previously contained a catering business.

Hughes and Adam said the project is on track for an April 1 completion.

Four commercial suites on the main floor will house a medical clinic, pharmacy, physiotherapy office, and law office.

Four two-bedroom apartments, each 1,140 square feet in size, will occupy the second floor, with rent set at $1,000 apiece.

“The main thing is to give a service back to people, not shaft them,” Hughes said.

A shared front parking lot contains 44 spaces.

Hughes currently divides his time between a clinic in Winnipeg’s Southdale neighbourhood and a smaller practice in Ile des Chenes’ I.D.A. Pharmacy, located across the street from the new centre.

The pharmacy will relocate to the new building, Hughes said.

As the only doctor currently serving Ile des Chenes, Hughes said he looks forward to gradually expanding his hours at the new clinic, including early evening appointments two days a week.

“This is my town. I love putting stuff back into town,” he said.

The new clinic contains three consultation rooms, and will accept a mix of pre-booked and walk-in appointments. As its patient base grows, Hughes said he hopes to add more colleagues.

“You could potentially have three doctors working here,” he said.

Hughes also pointed to the economic benefits of the walkable Main Street location.

“When you have a doctor in town, other businesses do better,” he said.

While construction is proceeding smoothly, the project experienced setbacks prior to breaking ground last June.

In October 2016, Ritchot council denied Hughes and Adam an accessory dwelling and minimum setback variance.

Three months later, the pair’s resubmitted application, helped along by a petition, was successful, though plans for a third storey were abandoned.

Adam said the current council has been supportive of the project.

He recalled his initial surprise when he learned Ile des Chenes had no full-time doctors and a single small pharmacy.

In his opinion, the centre’s services seem overdue in a community that has experienced substantial growth over the past decade.

“I’ve seen this town growing unbelievably,” he said.