Dauphin Ukrainian fest cancelled

Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin has been cancelled.

The festival’s board announced the event, which was scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 2, would not proceed due to concerns about the closure of the Dauphin hospital due to flooding.

The Dauphin Regional Health Centre has been closed since early July after heavy rain flooded its basement. There is no timetable to reopen, Prairie Mountain Health has said.

“Emergency health-care services have been relocated to rural communities more than 30 minutes away, creating significant challenges in providing timely medical care for our large event,” the board said in a social media post Friday.

The festival board consulted with the City of Dauphin, the Rural Municipality of Dauphin, the area MLA and MP, and its insurance provider in making the decision, “with great disappointment.”

All passes purchased for this year’s event can be used for next year. Refunds will also be issued. Information about the refund process will be posted on the event’s website and social media in the coming days, the post said.