John Kettle of Creston was re-elected chairman of the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board for the 2010 term after a meeting of the Board March 5.

It's Kettle's third term as chair and he says he's looking forward to another busy year at the Hospital District.

“Last year, this board worked very closely with Interior Health to improve health care facilities and equipment in the region. We strongly supported and were very pleased to see the Invermere Emergency Room upgrade proceed in 2009 and we are all looking forward to seeing that project completed.”

At the same meeting, Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak was re-elected as acting chair. “I appreciate the Board's support in re-electing me and look forward to working with Chair Kettle and all the directors in the coming year.

The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District provides up to 40 per cent capital funding for acute care facilities in the region for their equipment, facility construction and renovation needs.

The Hospital District extends beyond the boundaries of the RDEK to include the towns of Golden and Creston and portions of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap surrounding those municipalities.