More than 150 Skagway residents gathered to celebrate the opening of Skagway's new health center on June 26.
Story last updated at 7/13/2010 - 3:51 pm
SKAGWAY - "Can't wait to be sick." That comment was overheard during the open house tour of Skagway's new medical facility, a $6 million state-of-the-art, city-owned health center.
After six years of planning, financing, constructing and equipping, Skagway's dream became reality on Saturday, June 26. More than 150 residents attended the opening ceremony of the E.A. & Jenny Rasmuson Community Health Center. Located on 14th Avenue, between Broadway and State St., the clinic occupies a city block on the north side of the street.
Former mayor Tim Bourcy provided a brief history of events leading up to the long-awaited opening. The city assumed ownership of the previous Dahl Memorial Clinic, a private, non-profit facility in 2002, at which time a preliminary study had already been undertaken for a new enlarged clinic.
Mayor Bourcy appointed a new board of directors with Leslie Dodd as the first president. The new board became immediately involved in planning for a new clinic and looking into funding.
Elmer Rasmuson, a longtime Skagway resident and benefactor, had previously donated through Wells Fargo Bank a half city block, consisting of six continuous blocks, to be used as a community health center.
The people of Skagway unanimously approved a $5 million bond in 2004. This vote of confidence by the residents paved the way for substantial Federal Funding to be provided by the Denali Commission.
The Rasmuson Foundation also made a substantial financial contribution.
The conceptual plan was next approved by the board and the final design put to bid. Livingston Slone, Inc. of Anchorage was awarded the design contract out of five firms selected to bid.
The board of directors participated in the traditional ground breaking ceremony using golden shovels on August 12, 2008.
Dawson Construction was awarded the construction contract, having an excellent record of building the new Haines High School and remodeling on the Sitka and Juneau Pioneer Homes.
The new health center is four times the size of the old clinic and consists of nine examination rooms, three emergency care rooms, a behavior health center operated by Lynn Canal Counseling Services, three dental suites and a drive-through ambulance bay.
The clinic maintains a permanent fulltime staff of 10, supported by visiting physicians, optometrist and public health nurse.
The clinic is a federally qualified health center which provides funding for low-income patients, up to a total of $420,000 a year. This ensures low fees on a sliding scale.
Skagway officials attending the opening ceremony included Mayor Tom Cochran, former mayor Tim Bourcy, Health Center Administrator Shelly Moss, former city manager Alan Sorum, and elder Bob Sams of the Skagway Traditional Council.
