Cheque presentation at the Rocky Regional Health Centre, May 29, 2024. (rdnewsNOW/Jordan Rein)

By Jordan Rein

Investing in the community

Paramount Resources commits $300,000 to Rocky Health Foundation over five years

May 30, 2024 | 10:25 AM

In what’s been described as the single largest donation in the Rocky Health Foundation’s history, Paramount Resources announced it will be donating $300,000 to the organization over five years.

“Over the moon!” “Grateful.” “Blessed.” A few ways Rocky Health Foundation officials described the new funding commitment.

And “validated,” says Shirley Hope, chair of the Rocky Health Foundation.

“We feel validated for the work we do,” says Hope. “Knowing that someone is willing to give a very generous donation, knowing that we’re helping health care maintain top quality service.”

Gathered outside the newly finished operating room (OR) at the Rocky Regional Health Centre on May 29, a $100,000 cheque was presented to the organization representing the first installment of the donation. Officials say subsequent $50,000 donations will be made over the next four years.

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Treasurer for the Rocky Health Foundation, Dale Shippelt, says the money will go a long way to helping the organization raise an additional $250,000 for new OR equipment at the Rocky Regional Health Centre.

“It is astronomical to get a donation this big in a small town,” says Shippelt. “It is large and significant and will make a difference in Rocky Mountain House.”

Executive VP of Operations at Paramount Resources Ltd., Blake Reid says the donation is a win/win because his company is putting down roots in the area.

“With all the employees we have and their families, we feel like it’s a good investment for not only the community, but also for Paramount,” says Reid. “It’s comforting to know services are here.”

Reid says Paramount Resource chose the Alhambra area for a new sweet gas plant to be constructed near Arbutus Hall.

Once constructed, Reid expects the plant to produce 150,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day while creating dozens of local jobs for the region such as plant and field operators.

Reid adds the company is already working with several local contractors to do the construction work on the plant, which is expected to be completed in stages over the years to come.

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READ MORE: Next To New makes semi-annual donation to Rocky Health Foundation

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The hospital currently offers endoscopy, general surgery and gynecological surgeries, says Jessica Moncrieff, site manager at the Rocky Regional Health Centre.

But now, with the new equipment, the hospital will offer new procedures locally such as full knee replacements, she says.