New clinic, pharmacy announced for Dawson Co-op Mall

The Co-op Mall officially entered into a lease agreement with Dr. Harry Neveling – a general practitioner and family physician in Dawson Creek for the past 10 years – who will supervise the clinic, and Francis Obeta, who will act as owner/operator of the PharmaSave.

“Co-ops were originally founded on a group of individuals working together to provide a product or service needed in their local community, and today we are doing that again,” said Rod Hillary, general manager of the Dawson Co-op. “We are building our community with a service that is much needed and long overdue.”

He added it will not only help to take the strain of the local hospital, but will benefit the other tenants of the mall, and the efforts to revitalize the mall as a hub of the community.

He said the tendering and construction process will start within the next few weeks, with an anticipated opening early next year.

The 2,200 square-foot clinic will include seven examination rooms, and the hope is that at least four doctors will be practicing there at any given time.

“All the doctors in Dawson Creek will be invited by me to work either after-hours or extended shifts,” said Neveling.“I will be bringing my family physician practice over here which is a huge clinic.”

“We will link with the hospital, we are all on good terms – we will use their facilities, and they will refer to us and we will refer to them,” he added.

He said they anticipate the clinic will be open 12 hours a day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Obeta said the aim of having a pharmacy integrated with a walk in clinic is to provide the citizens of Dawson Creek with a low-cost and efficient system for medical and pharmaceutical needs.

“It is our vision to provide you with not just another pharmacy,” he said. “We are implementing a pharmacy that will provide a family atmosphere. Our promise to the residents of Dawson Creek is to provide you with genuine care and love in your time of need.”

Bernier said the new services are certainly welcomed by the residents of the city and surrounding communities.

“This is a really exciting day. We have been looking for a long time to have options for healthcare in our community,” he said.