The final pieces are in place for a new nurse practitioner led clinic in Amherstburg.
The town had been pursuing government funding and that's come down the pipe to the tune of $650,000.
The Essex County Nurse Practitioner group has agreed to offer the service for the next ten years at the former St. Bernard Elementary School which the town purchased from the Catholic school board last year.
Mayor Aldo DiCarlo says the town needs something like this.
"I don't think I've talked to a community that said we're flush with health care. Honestly, I just haven't. So there's a number of ways to provide health care and so what we've done is find an alternative model and these nurses and basically do just about anything a doctor can do."
He says it's the first step in a plan for a community hub at the location on Richmond St.
"We do really have to look at it to make sure we meet the needs of the general concept which is health care, seniors care, seniors activities while also incorporating youth. It should be a great plan of young and old all in one very convenient location in town."
Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo speaks to reporters outside of council chambers. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
DiCarlo says residents have been asking for a clinic for quite some time.
"Everybody wanted that clinic open as soon as possible. They have two options, they go somewhere else or they wait what most people would say is an unreasonable amount of time for health care. So we're trying to reduce that wait time and make sure that they don't have to leave town."
DiCarlo adds renovations to the building will begin immediately with the town hoping to have the clinic open by late spring or early summer.
The clinic is expected to employ four nurses, a physiotherapist, registered dietitian, social worker and a health promoter along with support staff.