The Residential Hospice of Grey-Bruce Inc. will begin detailed planning for a hospice under a new project facilitator.

Melody Boyd of Meaford has been chosen for the position by the Oversight Committee.

Boyd has a background in health care that spans more than 25 years.

She is a nurse by profession but also worked with long-term care homes and community partners within the North Simcoe and Muskoka area.

Boyd will take on duties October 29th, and her first move will be to update the business plan that they will give to the South West LHIN November 21st.

She says the project will require a number of different providers working together.

Boyd will develop an operational plan to keep them on a timeline for a February 1st opening of the hospice.

Supporting Boyd is Samantha Colwell-Castles, as Program Facilitator.

She is a Port Elgin resident with a background in program development and evaluation in the health system.

Colwell-Castles has also worked in the health care system in the UK.

She says she has a personal commitment to palliative care.

Oversight Committee Chair Rob Cordell says the quality and calibre of local candidates that came forward through the hiring process was overwhelming.

Meanwhile, the organization has opened an official office space on Carney Lane in Owen Sound.

Board Chair Ruth Lovell-Stanners says they're excited to have a space for the staff to work out of, but also for the public to find them to ask any questions or make donations.

She says the space has been donated by Barry Kruisselbrink, a well-known developer in the Owen Sound area.

And the furniture was donated by local business Coates & Best, with carpet from GreyFair.

Lovell-Stanners says it goes to show that this is a project the whole community is supporting.