The old Balmoral Hotel – now Pimicikamak Wellness Centre – continues its conversion from neighbourhood blight to neighbourhood beacon of hope with the opening this month of a new medical clinic.
Right Care Medical Centre and Pharmacy opens this month replacing the notorious beer store that stood for years behind the hotel at Balmoral and Notre Dame.
Like much that is going on now at the Wellness Centre, the clinic is a real family affair.
Dr. Farid Memon will begin seeing patients in the new clinic in December. As visits increase, he will be joined by his daughter, Dr. Shiza Pirzada, and later, other doctors. The construction is being spearheaded by Memon’s son-in-law, Iman Pirzada, who is also co-owner of the pharmacy that will be on-site.

Creating the partnership between the Memon family and the owners of Pimicikamak was also a real family affair, and, strange as it may seem– it was engineered by a 12-year-old with a passion for the medical profession. (See page 7: Passion of a 12-year-old for medical profession leads to new clinic.)
The arrival of the medical clinic is the latest of many activities at the newl refurbished hotel that are building community in the neighbourhood.
Prime among the many activities creating a family feel are those offered by 1JustCity –drop-in lunch program (Mon.-Thurs.); clubs and activities, with special attention to First Nations: drumming, women’s teachings, sharing circles, grandparent’s drop-in, yoga, big screen movies, bingo, bannock and tea, medicine walks (harm reduction) in the neighbourhood, laundry, showers, outings to the symphony or to pick medicines in the country, and much more.
“It’s friendly here; everyone is like family,” says Virginia Richard, one of the participants in the Grandparent’s Circle. She enjoys the group’s acceptance and the ability to talk about what’s on your mind. One recent meeting discussed the issues people were having with drugs and drug users. Group leader Desiree McIvor stressed that 1JustCity staff are trained to deal with the situations, and talked about her own personal experiences. (McIvor will be speaking at Young United Church, Dec. 11 as part of the church’s “Democracy Conversations” series.)
“One major advantage is just simply the size of this space,” explained 1JustCity site leader Josh Ward, who used to run the program out of the basement of St. Matthews Church on Maryland (now West End Commons). “The church space was wonderful, but had a maximum capacity of 60 people. Here, there’s space in the main hall for seating 130 people, which we’re now regularly getting.”
1JustCity expects a full turnout for their special Christmas Brunch at Pimicikamak on Dec. 22. There will also be Christmas dinners and gift card giveaways at all three 1JustCity locations.
The presence of 1JustCity and the new clinic are vital pieces in the hotel’s makeover as
Pimicikamak Wellness Centre – a welcoming centre for First Nations people coming from northern Manitoba for medical appointments. The partnership between Cross Lake (Pimicikamak) First Nation and the new owners has blended with 1JustCity in many ways. One major way is the drop-in, or restaurant, space. Hotel staff offer breakfast and supper for hotel guests in the space, and 1JustCity takes over at 11:30 to set up the drop-in and lunch program. Northern visitors are welcome in all programming.
One unique way the new clinic will work with 1JustCity is in its nurse practicum program. Harvey Heather runs an array of community programs at all three 1JustCity sites (including Crossways in West Broadway and Augustine Centre in Osborne Village). The nurse practicum program allows help for individuals with health and medical issues from university nursing students.
“We see a lot of people who have health concerns, but don’t want to wait in a hospital emergency department,” explained Heather. “Now, the nurses who are working with us can help them and possibly escort them to the clinic that’s on the property where they can get the help they need.”
Between the medical needs of 1JustCity, the ways the clinic can help northern visitors, and people in the neighbourhood looking for a doctor, Dr. Memon has no doubt the clinic will fit well into the family model at Pimicikamak. He and his daughter, Shiza, and his wife (also a doctor), all have experience working in inner city clinics. They presently work at branches of Red River Clinic, a few blocks north, on Elgin Avenue and a few blocks west, on Ellice.
As tough as the area may have once been, he is used to working in the inner city and is sure the clinic will contribute to the improvement of the neighbourhood.
“Over time, areas change,” explains his son-in-law Iman (the only member of the family who appears to not be a doctor, but who is running the business side.) “You remove the bad elements and add something that is positive. People need care no matter where they are. This clinic will provide that.”