A crowd of 200 gathered, despite the chilling winds, at the parking lot of the Cypress Regional Hospital for the official opening of the facility yesterday afternoon.

     Local and Provincial Dignitaries gathered to celebrate the event, including former Minister of Health, John Neilson, who was involved in the beginning of the project.  He says when the project started, the goal was to get everyone to work together, in a partnership between local and provincial authorities.

     Joan Meyer, Chairperson for the Dr Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation, says the task of fundraising the City's $7 million portion of the cost was made easier by a number of donors.  This includes Ted Hanlon, who made the largest donation, in the amount of $1 million.

     The $38.7 million facility has been in operation since April 27th.