By Troy Gillard

Cardiac lab on the way

Johnston “excited beyond words” for hospital expansion funding

Feb 26, 2020 | 5:27 PM

One of city council’s most passionate advocates for Red Deer hospital is overjoyed to see it will finally be happening.

Last week, Ken Johnston said the long-time absence of provincial government funding for hospital was a “blight on Red Deer.”

Now that $100 million has been announced for the first phase of hospital expansion, including a cardiac catheterization lab, Johnston says he couldn’t be more thrilled.

“I just can’t put into words how fantastic a day this is for Red Deer and for the region… it’s just really a magnificent announcement,” Johnston said Wednesday. “I think we can all celebrate as opposed to looking back at events and disappointments, this is a time for celebration.”

Johnston, who lost his wife Isabelle to heart disease, admits he almost lost his breath when he heard how much expansion money the hospital was getting.

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“I couldn’t have imagined even up to a month ago, or even a few weeks ago, that we would be getting an announcement that said $100 million and we’re going to start construction in 2021. I feel, honestly, if my alarm clock went right now off and I woke up I would say ‘Yeah, I was dreaming.’”

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was at the hospital on Wednesday and announced $100 million for the first phase of expansion at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. Health Minister Tyler Shandro confirmed phase one will include a cardiac catheterization lab.