Country music singer Garth Brooks is to receive a $1m payout from Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in his hometown of Yukon after it failed to construct a women’s healthcare centre from a donation Brooks made in 2005. A court ruled that the singer should be repaid his $500,000 donation with an additional $500,000 in punitive damages.

The ‘emotional’ case is the final stage in a seven year discussion after Brooks gave an anonymous donation which the hospital’s attorney stated was ‘unrestricted’. Following a number of discussions it was suggested that the money be used for a women’s centre in honour of Brooks’ mother who died from cancer in 1999. The hospital is then said to have attempted to use the money for alternative construction projects.

Speaking on the decision, Integris spokesman Hardy Watkins said: “Obviously we are disappointed, particularly with the jury’s decision to award damages above and beyond the $500,000. We’re just glad to see the case come to a resolution.”