Edmonton, AB– The Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, joined General Walt Natynczyk, Alberta Legislature Speaker Gene Zwozdesky, Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk and the staff of Valour Place in celebrating the opening of Valour Place, a facility that will provide the comforts of home to injured soldiers, veterans, RCMP members and their families as they receive medical treatment and care in Edmonton.
“Since the ground breaking in April 2011, Valour Place has grown as a symbol of what can be accomplished with strong leadership and the dedicated involvement of an entire community,” said MP Hawn, congratulating the many community volunteers, municipal and provincial leaders who brought the project to fruition. “Edmonton has always been a model of supporting and caring for our soldiers and veterans and, because of work like this, I am extremely proud to call this city home.”
Valour Place will encompass approximately 10,000 square feet and will be the first facility of its kind in Canada. In addition to twelve wheelchair-accessible rooms and a common kitchen, Valour Place will help families feel at home with a common dining hall, living room, family and recreation room. The facility also has a wheelchair accessible van and a driver that will assist guests of Valour Place travel to and from medical appointments.
“Government can’t do it all and we need caring communities like Edmonton and organizations like the Valour Place Committee to step up and be a part of the larger Canadian solution. We ask so much of our men and women in uniform. We must do everything we can to equip them to do their jobs and we must do everything we can to care for them when doing their jobs means pain and hardship,” said MP Hawn.
On March 31st of this year, MP Hawn was proud to attend a 30-Hour Hockey Marathon fundraiser for Valour Place organized by twenty-four veterans who had recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. In addition to community events like this, over 2,000 generous donors gave to Valour Place.
During his remarks, MP Hawn also spoke of the strong leadership and hard work of the Valour Place Board Chair, Honourary Colonel Dennis Erker. “Dennis is one of those people who work tirelessly to make their community a better place to live, and we are very lucky to have Dennis and others like him in our midst,” said MP Laurie Hawn.
The Government of Alberta contributed $1 million to Valour Place towards the purchase of land for the construction of the home. The federal government, through the Department of National Defence, is leasing 6 of the 12 suites for the use of its soldiers and airmen who travel to Edmonton for medical purposes. Veteran Affairs Canada will also cover travel and accommodation costs for qualified Veterans travelling to Edmonton who will be staying at Valour Place.
MP Hawn concluded his remarks at the opening, saying that, “In Valour Place, there is stability; there is courage; there is soul; and there is hope.”