Community Support Drives Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout to Second High-Output Clinic

Sarnia, ON – Supported by a $75,000 donation from Enbridge, Lambton County's COVID-19 vaccine rollout is expanding its capacity to the Clearwater Arena, in Sarnia.

The second high-output immunization clinic was made possible by the generous donation from Enbridge, Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment, and Sustainability’s (BASES) ongoing commitment to the 'hockey hub' model in Lambton, as well as the contributions of many local community partners and the hard work of staff from Lambton Public Health, Lambton EMS, the City of Sarnia, and Bluewater Health.

“Enbridge has deep roots in Sarnia and Lambton County, where we’ve been operating since the 1950s,” said Vik Kohli, Director, Enbridge Eastern Region Operations. “Getting more vaccine in more arms more quickly will benefit many of us who call Sarnia home and we’re proud to play a small part in that. We applaud the efforts of the County of Lambton, public health authorities and other industry partners, but most of all the real heroes – the front-line workers who continue to prioritize this important work and sacrifice so much to ensure the well-being of others.”

In addition to donations from Enbridge and BASES, Hydro One and Bluewater Power also stepped up to provide the financial support needed to bring the Clearwater Arena Clinic to fruition. Bruce Power provided logistical support in setting up this clinic in the same successful “hockey hub” format currently being used at the Point Edward Arena immunization clinic.

“On behalf of the County of Lambton, we would like to thank Enbridge for their generous financial donation in support of this accelerated model for vaccine distribution,” said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott. “Their contribution, along with financial support from Lambton BASES, Hydro One, and Bluewater Power, and the logistical support from Bruce Power, has been critical in the assembly and operation of the Clearwater Arena clinic.”

The $60,000 donation from BASES allowed for the installation of vaccination pods and crowd control stanchions at the high-output immunization clinic sites in both Point Edward and Sarnia.

"It has been incredible to see the continued outpouring of support and contributions from the community for a second high-output immunization clinic, and to see so many organizations working together towards a common goal,” continued Marriott.

"This support, along with the hard work of volunteers and staff from the City of Sarnia, Lambton Public Health, Lambton EMS, and Bluewater Health, has enabled the transformation of the Clearwater Arena into the region’s second high-output immunization clinic. This is impressive in and of itself as we are one of only a few municipalities in Ontario to have more than one mass ‘hockey hub’ vaccination clinic of this size,” said Dr. Sudit Ranade, Medical Officer of Health for the County of Lambton.

Vaccinations are currently available to individuals 12 years of age and older at fixed-site clinics in Sarnia, Point Edward, Forest and Wyoming. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit GetTheVaccine.ca.

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“The Bluewater Power Group of Companies is honoured to play a small role to support our local vaccination clinics. Our Community Fund is designed to support our friends and neighbours and as such this contribution could not be better suited. We are beyond pleased to help move our community forward.”

Janice McMichael-Dennis, President and CEO, Bluewater Power

“The Hockey Hub vaccination model is just one example of the public and private sector working together to ensure the health and safety of Ontarians throughout the pandemic, and Bruce Power is proud to play a small part.”

John Peevers, Director of Community and Media Relations, and Economic Development, Bruce Power

“Hydro One is proud to play a role in building safe communities across the province and in the County of Lambton by supporting the vaccination effort. We have a responsibility to help increase accessibility to vaccines so we can safeguard lives, put the pandemic behind us, and build a better and brighter future.”

Lyla Garzouzi, Chief Safety Officer, Hydro One

“I received my COVID vaccine at the Hockey Hub Mass Vaccine Site in Point Edward, and from beginning to end, it was a flawless experience. As the chair of Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER), my personal experience with the vaccine site and the feedback I’ve heard from others makes me especially proud that the Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment, and Sustainability contributed financially to this massive undertaking. We’re honoured to be a part of this community investment.”

Glenn Hayes, Refinery Manager, Imperial Oil and Executive Committee Chair, BASES