by PAUL RAYNER

Those involved in palliative care in Boissevain are looking at the latest development at the Boissevain Health Centre completing their main project.

Thanks to the work of volunteers, the landscaping at the palliative care sunroom on the west side of the health centre is completed, at least in its initial phase. According to Greta Melnychuk, the bulk of the work is done.

“There have been a lot of changes there,” Melnychuk stated. “It was quite a little job. There are so many barriers you have to go around, ignore or cover up. We have a few little projects in mind, but this year the bones of it are in.”

Melnychuk said she remembers being asked last spring by the Boissevain Palliative Care Committee if she would take charge of the landscaping of the sunroom area. Initially, she said yes, had second thoughts, but called back in the fall taking it on.

“I never did anything like this before, outside of our own yard. My yard took a lot of years to get into shape. But I just wanted to help out.”

Plans for the area were drawn up and adapted and the work started this spring. As Melnychuk stated, a lot of artistic ideas had to be changed or twisted somewhat due to the location. There are Hydro and gas lines in the area, and they had to be identified and respected. Melnychuk said she had good help and patience in that job from the people at Manitoba Hydro. Some of the barriers in that area could be covered up.

“There is a big transformer out there,” Melnychuk stated, “and we have that behind a lattice fence. That was one of the first requirements. We wanted to cover that, because you could see it from the room. We had to speak to Hydro about that, because we had to be a certain distance from that.”

As Melnychuk explained, some things, like the flower pots and the sidewalk were already in place, and those involved could work with them. One of the big things, she said, was to keep it low maintenance so that those responsible in the future would not have to do too much upkeep. To that end, for example, the annuals are kept to the flowerpots.

The bulk of the area is populated by perennials, junipers, cedars and shrubs. They used bark mulch, and stumps rescued from someone’s yard. Other touches include two shade trees to protect the sunroom and lattice work up the stairway leading to the roof.

One of the more striking pieces is the crane, which came from the Boissevain Floral Boutique. Melnychuk said one of the committee had seen one and felt it would be a good addition to the garden.

“I got one last year and stored it. It is interesting. When it is windy, the head bobs and the wings flap like it will take off.”

As Melnychuk stated, she had a lot of help. Peter and Lorraine Neufeld helped remove the sod. Tom and especially Helen Latimer put in a great deal of time, and she said Eugene “got us all through”.

It was not easy, as the weather played some havoc.

“It just swirls in there,” she explained, “it was not pleasant work in there at times, but we were persistent and got it done.”

The effort is appreciated. As Anna Diehl of the Palliative Care Committee explained, much of the idea for the landscaping came from her late sister-in-law Doreen Noble, who as a patient using the sun room commented that it would be nice to cover up the transformer. The end result, Diehl said, is breathtaking.

“It is a wonderful thing she’s done,” Diehl stated. “She has transported a barren space into a park. It will give pleasure to the people who need it.”

Although primarily developed with palliative care patients and their families in mind, both Melnychuk and Diehl feel it could easily become a nice area for residents of Evergreen Place and staff at the health centre.

Melnychuk said the work is not necessarily done. Other possibilities abound to develop the area, and she said she and Helen Latimer were adding more mulch recently to the space. However, she was happy with their creation.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Melnychuk stated, “I hope it is relaxing and peaceful. We tried to make it as weed free and trouble free as possible. I am pleased with it.”

Diehl said they have to change a window in the sun room and when the second special bed comes in, the dream of the Palliative Care Committee –which also included a special palliative care room in the health centre, will basically be completed. They will be open to suggestions, and she said that they are looking at a special event this fall to give recognition to all of the contributors. As for the landscaping, she acknowledges the work of the volunteers.

“This is a marvelous gift given to the community,” Diehl said.