Back to SearchOctober 13, 2023
“Today by officially opening the Wasaga Beach Medical Centre we are building a more complete community and taking action to ensure that Wasaga Beach residents have easy access to essential healthcare services for themselves and their families,” said Mayor Brian Smith.
WASAGA BEACH - Town of Wasaga Beach Council was joined by MP Terry Dowdall, MPP Brian Saunderson and healthcare partners to celebrate the opening of the new Wasaga Beach Medical Clinic. The ribbon-cutting ceremony held on October 13, marked a significant milestone in the Town's commitment to delivering accessible healthcare services to its residents and successfully fulfilling yet another Council Priority.
Earlier this summer, Council approved using a portion of the Town’s casino revenue as a funding source for a new community medical clinic.
Kathleen Devine, Senior Municipal Relations Manager from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) presented a $438,744.00 cheque to the Town during the clinic’s grand opening ceremony. These funds represent the Town’s municipal portion of proceeds from Playtime Casino received from OLG since November 2022 and will be used for broad community-benefitting projects.
“OLG is proud to be a vital part of the Town of Wasaga Beach,” said Kathleen Devine. “Each and every year, 100 per cent of OLG profits are reinvested in Ontario to support provincial priorities. From critical infrastructure to important local programs, to community festivals, OLG’s profits are hard at work in Wasaga Beach and all across our province to build stronger communities. Today, with the grand opening of the Wasaga Beach Medical Clinic we are seeing how a share of the gaming revenue from the new Playtime Casino Wasaga Beach is contributing to the region. When you play at an Ontario casino, you play for Ontario.”
Mayor Smith also extended gratitude to Dr. Joe Greyling during the ceremony, honoring his outstanding dedication to the clinic and unveiling a special plaque in his honour. Mayor Smith remarked, “Dr. Greyling’s passion for caring for the residents of Wasaga Beach is truly admirable. His contribution of medical equipment to the clinic following his retirement serves as a testament to his standing as a medical professional and a philanthropic pillar within our community.”
The Wasaga Beach Medical Clinic, located at 160 Beck Street, is currently open Monday-Friday, with Nurse Practitioners from the South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre offering a walk-in clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for unattached patients.
With a focus on proactive health, the Georgian Bay Family Health Team is also hosting education programs within the clinic. These programs will center on various aspects of well-being, such as diabetes management, lung health, promoting healthy aging, and addressing mental health concerns.
The Town of Wasaga Beach is actively engaged in efforts to attract more full-time doctors to the area and has recently increased the financial incentive for family physicians to $100,000. The Wasaga Beach Medical Clinic has the capacity to accommodate up to three full-time doctors.
Quick Facts:
- With a population of 25,000 set to double by 2051, the Ministry of Health considers Wasaga Beach an area of “high physician need.”
- OLG’s Community Recognition Program funding payments are made under an equitable formula in the Municipality Contribution Agreement which determines the funds municipalities receive for hosting a casino. Payments are based on graduated scale of gaming revenue consistent across all sites in Ontario.
Additional Resources:
Learn more about Wasaga Beach’s Playtime OLG casino.
Learn more about our partners, including the Georgian Bay Family Health Team and South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre.
B-roll and photos available upon request.
Media contact:
Sandra Watts
Director of Strategic Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs
sandra.watts@wasagabeach.com
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