The Board of Directors of the Sunrise Health Region received an update on where major projects stand for health facilities in Yorkton, Esterhazy and Canora.

Lorelei Stusek vice president of corporate services with the SHR told the board at its regular meeting last week that they have been in contact with the province just as a reminder of the importance of the local projects.

Stusek said the project studies were looked at as being for a five year start-up, dating back to 2010, “so we’re well into that.”

Stusek said what will soon happen is the local projects will be “bumped up against the five-to-10-year projects.”

The recent meeting with the province was also a chance “to update on what we’ve had to deal with since the Conceptual Plan,” said Stusek, noting that has meant a flood in Yorkton, and electrical issues.

Stusek said the meeting was part of the ongoing process.

“There was not a decision made at that meeting,” she said, adding they will have “to wait for the budget (provincial) to see if anything is announced with these projects.”

Board chair Lawrence Chomos questioned how long the plan the SHR has to remain valid.

“How long are these conceptual studies good for? There has to be a shelf life,” he said.

Stusek said they are designed as five-year plans but added “all those plans look to the future.” Still if it gets to the fifth year before moving forward “you have to be looking at them again.”

Stusek added once an actual construction plan is undertaken it will be a chance “to re-look at things.”

Director Gord Gendur was curious if the province has a list of projects to do, and where the SHR trio sits.

“They’re trying to build that. There is a list of 30 now,” said Stusek.

But where a particular project might rate on the list is not known.

“If it was education we would know,” said Chomos, adding if the list was public it would be an asset in local fundraising.

“The more transparent the spots the easier it is for the community to make decisions on their investment.”