Twenty-five years ago, Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC) opened its doors in the Pembina Valley.
At the time, the centre’s cornerstone was dedicated with a special item inside — a time capsule.
On Friday (November 28), in honour of BTHC’s expansion, the cornerstone was moved and rededicated, and the time capsule refreshed for posterity.
A historic day for BTHC
Dana Human, the interim CEO of Southern Health – Santé Sud, called the rededication “another historic moment at Boundary Trails Health Centre.”
The ceremony was conducted by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Manitoba, which established Morden Hospital (later to become BTHC) in the late 1800s.
It was one of the first rural hospitals in the province.
“We were joined by the Honourable Masons to come and replace the cornerstone that has been a long piece of history within the Morden Hospital since healthcare services started within this part of the region,” said Human.
A region with a history of advocating for local healthcare
For Human, the rededication was an opportunity to visit an area that, in her opinion, has a reputation for working toward establishing healthcare services in its own backyard.
“This community has a long history of health services and advocating to ensure that they’ve got what they need within the community,” she said.
“To be a part of it … is just another checkbox in the history books for us — to be walking alongside this community and being able to take part, and I just really like these historical moments.”
Human said the cornerstone has been moved at least three times in the hospital’s history.
The plan is that this will be its final location.
“Hopefully, we’ve put it in its final place,” she said.
What was added to the time capsule?
When it comes to the new additions to the cornerstone’s time capsule, what was selected reflects the recent landscape of healthcare, both in the region and beyond it.
“[There are] COVID-19 tests, as we’ve all been through the pandemic, … the protective wear that our staff wore, and there’s also a menu from the cafeteria, as well as some past policies and procedures,” said Human.
“The staff all gathered a couple of days ago and went through lists, and they all put in what had meaning to them in regards to their current workforce.”
What was in the original time capsule?
Joel Nelson, the director of health services at BTHC, said that the new additions to the time capsule will join items submitted by each of the hospital’s departments in 2001.
“Some of the things that were in it were menus, some work plans from staff, old X-rays, some old equipment from the obstetrical unit, lots of historical plans and project management,” he said.
Nelson said that there were also lists of equipment purchased at the time, a basic life support manual, textbooks, and old uniforms from Emergency Medical Services.
Related stories:
For Nelson, it was exciting to see that some of those who submitted items in 2001 are still part of BTHC today.
“That was pretty neat,” he said.
“One of the neatest things was Deb Weir, [a nurse] who worked in staff development, and she volunteers here now. She just happened to be volunteering the day we were going through this stuff, and I said, ‘Deb, why don’t you stop by?’ Not knowing that she was the one who submitted the staff development package, so she got a chance to actually open it up and look at it and see what she submitted.”
A historic link
Grand Master Rey Galapon of the Masons’ Grand Lodge of Manitoba also submitted items into the time capsule, including a medal commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, which was celebrated this year.
Galapon also placed pins and a magazine outlining the Masons’ role in BTHC inside the capsule.
The rededication ceremony.
The Grand Master said he was “really honoured and privileged” to be a part of the rededication ceremony, especially because his organization has had ties to healthcare in the region for well over a century.
“I’m proud to be part of this occasion because it just solidifies the commitment and the connection of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba and the Freemasons here in Manitoba to the community,” he said.
Galapon said that the individual responsible for the idea of establishing a Freemasons hospital in Morden eventually became Grand Master, the role he himself holds today, so for him, it was a full circle moment.
The importance of a good foundation
The rededication of the cornerstone occurred in a ceremony that included the symbolic implements of the Masons, including the square, the level, and the plumb.
“We attach moral and social virtues … on those implements, and it serves as a reminder to us to apply those morals and virtues in our lives to become a better person,” said Galapon.
“As Freemasons, the cornerstone is a symbolic part of our ritual or ceremonies. It’s because we believe that a solid, square cornerstone is important to have a strong foundation for a long-lasting building, so in every opportunity, we are more than willing to perform … this cornerstone ceremony because we know that the significance of this is really great.”
‘I sure hope I’m still around’
For Human, the rededication, which comes at a significant juncture for BTHC as it nears the end of a historic expansion, captures the present as much as the past of the Pembina Valley’s healthcare.
“With the addition of the community service building and how we’re able to have all services in one place, I really hope it just assists with accessibility for everyone,” she said.
“Years and years from now, when we open it up, I sure hope I’m still around because I really want to see what it looks like and [how] things have evolved.”
Human added that in the near future, BTHC is looking forward to the official grand opening of its expansion.
With files from Robyn Wiebe