After four years of work, the Agassiz Medical Centre (AMC) in Morden is finally getting an expansion.

The expansion wasn't the only exciting news delivered Thursday, but also the renaming of the clinic to the Menzies Medical Centre.

Agassiz Medical Centre Executive Director Karen Chezick says finally being able to share the announcement after so long has been like a weight taken off. The decision to rename the clinic was not one taken lightly, says Chezick.

Dr. Bob Menzies was a dedicated family physician and played an important role in promoting health care in rural Manitoba, including the development of the clinical teaching unit at Boundary Trails Health Centre, until his untimely death in 2017.

Chezick says the renaming of the clinic is to honour the legacy of Dr. Bob Menzies and his father and grandfather who worked before him.

"Bob had always talked about wanting to practice till 2020, which would complete 100 years of caring by the Menzies family; unfortunately, he didn't make it. The Community Board started talking about, it and we felt we could fulfill that vision by honouring all the Menzies family by renaming the clinic, the Menzies Medical Centre."

Agassiz Medical Centre Executive Director Karen Chezick.

Chezick says that they feel this acknowledges the contributions the Menzies family has given to Morden, and how much that means to the community.

Daughters of Menzies Heather and Kate say having the clinic named after their father is a real honour.

"I think particularly of my father," says Heather. "Especially coming on the first anniversary of his death that's more present in my mind, but I also appreciate that it recognizes the generations. . . and incorporates our entire family."

The Menzies name will continue to serve the community and comes at a time where additional health care is needed, says Chezick.

According to Chezick currently, 15,000 patients consider AMC their regular source of care. On average the clinic has over 4,000 appointments every month, and 1,600 people are on a waiting list, which unfortunately the clinic had to stop taking names on the list as it was becoming far too large.

 "This clinic will help us in our recruiting effort, to bring more providers to the area and help us serve the community."

The expansion will increase the clinic size by 2,400 square feet, which will bring the clinic's total space to 18,000. Chezick says she foresees this will allow for an additional ten health providers, either nurse practitioners or physicians, this should be sufficient in supporting the needs of the area.

Morden Elks members and Bob Wahl.

Budgeted for $1.25 million the project will receive funding through a funding agreement, community support, and a fundraising drive for $500,000.

Bob Wahl Member at Large on the Board of Directors and Fundraising Committee says they plan to accomplish this kick-start to the project by approaching corporations and community organizations, to support this project.

$10,000 of that goal has already been raised thanks to the Morden Elks.

Elks Member Henry Penner says they had been sitting on this money for some time, waiting for the time when this project became a reality, and help out a cause important to the community.

"It's needed when you walk in here any day, and it's packed. This was actually money raised three years ago; we had it waiting for this day. . . so that we could help kick-off the fundraising."

Within the next two weeks, the architects will be in contact with the centre. Chezick says they have come conceptual designs, but they want the staff to be involved in the process.

Once construction on the expansion is completed, the clinic will run their operations under the name of the Menzies Medical Centre.