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SLFNHA press release 

Sioux Lookout, ON - May 13, 2009: The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) is excited to report the new hostel in Sioux Lookout will be opening its doors this fall and making the vision a reality.

Since planning began in June 2004, in conjunction with the new hospital for Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Heath Centre (SLMHC), construction has progressed to a point where SLFNHA's Director of Client Services, Darryl Quedent, is now confident they will be holding the grand opening in October 2009.

The current hostel, located at the SLMHC 7th Avenue site, has 39 beds and is lacking in space and services for its clients.

The new two-storey, 38,000+ Sq.Ft. facility will hold 100 beds, food services, a luggage storage area, a family lounge & games area, a children's play area and an array of activities.

The new facility will provide food services for clients everyday, as well as hold a domestic kitchen which includes an area to store and prepare traditional foods brought from home. SLFNHA expects the family-friendly accommodations to be especially welcoming for maternity patients and others that often stay for extended periods of time.

As in the past, SLFNHA will continue with client support and advocacy, ensuring a safe home-away-from-home for clients traveling to Sioux Lookout for healthcare at SLMHC as well as those on their way to specialist appointments, such as in Winnipeg or Thunder Bay. The majority of clients that travel to Sioux Lookout for healthcare are from the 31 northern communities in the Sioux Lookout zone.

With the new facility comes a new name and logo for the hostel. The name and logo contest closed on May 8 and the judging is now underway. The winner of the contest will take home a laptop, with the runners up receiving a digital camera and MP3 player.

"We have received a number of creative ideas that were forwarded to us," says Hana Beitl, Hostel Project Assistant. "This is a special opportunity to make a lasting mark recognized by future generations to come."

SLFNHA is also excited about the many new employment opportunities at the hostel, including dietary aides, security, maintenance, housekeeping and many other positions.

SLFNHA recently held a career fair in Sioux Lookout to promote the new jobs and anticipates the jobs will be advertised in the near future.

For more information about the new hostel, please contact Darryl Quedent, Director of Client Services, at (807) 737-1802. Visit www.slfnha.com to read more about the hostel project and to see future job postings.

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To obtain photos of the construction site and artist's rendering for the new hostel, please contact Irene Dube, Communications Officer, at (807) 737-6124.