After years of fundraising, walking their project through an intense rezoning process, and dealing with countless administrative headaches, and thanks to thousands of hours of volunteer work, the Gabriola Health Care Foundation (GHCF) Sunday held its official ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the Gabriola Community Health Centre’s opening.

As the new urgent treatment room and medical offices at 695 Church Street were built through the efforts of many community members, Gabriolans were invited to “bring your own scissors” to help with the ribbon cutting. Well over 100 Gabriolans answered the invitation, listened to the speeches – emceed by a kilted John Campbell – and stayed for cake.

On the speakers’ list were MP Jean Crowder, MLAs Ron Cantelon and Doug Routley, BC Ambulance Chief Bob Gallaher, Don Hubbard, board chair of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), Regional Director Howard Houle, Islands Trust Chair Sheila Malcolmson, Drs. Francois Bosman and Tracey Thorne, and GHCF President Jill Adamson. Other honoured guests included Trustee Giselle Rudischer, Dr. Bob Rooks, Dallas Smith of Arbutus Lumber, and Anya Nimmon, VIHA Communications.

A letter from the Honourable Steven L. Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia was also read out by RCMP Constable Maury Hallam.