Niverville Town Council says they will fight to keep their medical clinic from closing.

On Thursday, Open Health in Niverville publicly announced that it may be forced to shut its doors as its lead doctors deal with health complications of their own. Doctors Chris and Mairi Burnett are combating a serious illness together and have doubts they will be able to continue operating the facility.

Read more: The Niverville Medical Clinic May Be Closing Its Doors

Mayor Myron Dyck recognizes that the service is of extreme importance to his community. While it is too early to point to any kind of solution, Dyck says Council has already met to discuss the matter and will continue to do so as they search for answers to their many questions.

“We realize it is important,” he states, “and there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Council has got its head down and that’s what we need to do right now.”

According to Dyck, one of the many questions on the Town’s mind is what role Council can or should play in salvaging a privately owned organization. As similar logistical conversations continue to take place and as locals brace for a potentially difficult transition, Dyck says Council’s heart remains with the struggling family.

“We understand the importance of the clinic, but our thoughts and well-wishes are with the Burnetts at this time," he comments, "and we just ask that residents’ first priority be rallying around this couple and supporting them through what they are going through.”

Dyck says Council will be keeping the public informed of their direction as it becomes more clear.

“This is something that Council is grappling with right now and when we have more information we will be letting people know what that might be.”