The Blue Mountains is committed to ensuring there is land for a new medical clinic in Thornbury, but no site has been specified.

A report to council by the town's Chief Administrative Officer Paul Graham said the town does have some land that could be made available for a medical clinic site, and some other options are under consideration.

Last September, council heard a presentation from a group of doctors and citizens who had formed a non-profit corporation called North East Grey Medical Clinics Inc. Their goal is to establish new medical clinics in both The Blue Mountains and Meaford that would help attract more doctors to the area. The group has begun a fundraising campaign and a "Record Hop" dance is being held at the Beaver Valley Community Centre, Saturday, May 3, to raise money for the project.

Given the growth in The Blue Mountains, the group has put the Thornbury clinic at the top of its priority list. They hope to build a clinic suitable for six doctors and support staff, immediately, with space to expand to 12 doctors and support staff over time. Initially, they want to build a 6,500-square-foot clinic.

Graham's report said a business plan submitted by North East Grey Health Clinics has been reviewed by staff and "we have concluded that the business plan is sound".

Having publicly declared assurance that the town will support the effort by supplying land "would be incredibly beneficial" to the effort, Graham stated.

The motion passed by council, Monday, says, "That Council publicly declare its commitment to ensure that North East Grey Health Clinics Inc. has the necessary property, in Thornbury, to construct a Medical Clinic and that council will ensure that the property is available in a timely manner to facilitate the successful construction of the Thornbury Medical Clinic."

The land could be supplied either by transfer or easement but there would be no cost to the Health Clinics group.

The report didn't mention any specific sites. After the meeting, Graham told the Courier-Herald the group has considered two town-owned properties in Thornbury but is also looking at some other options.

In his report, Graham added that the town would also be willing to underwrite the survey and legal costs related to an exchange of town-owned land.

"We view those possible costs to be insignificant relative to the public benefit of a Thornbury Medical Clinic," his report said.