By Robin MacLennan
Ontario Construction News staff writer
Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston is expecting an early Christmas gift from the Ontario government.
Health Minister Christine Elliott recently revealed that the Stage 1 approval for the hospital’s redevelopment proposal will be rubber-stamped soon.
When Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson questioned Elliott about the status of the project on Nov. 4 in the Ontario legislature, Elliott said it would be approved “in the coming days.”
As of Nov. 25, the Stage 1 submission — which includes the master plan and functional services for the new facility — had still not been approved.
The redevelopment process begins with a pre-submission component, followed by six stages.
Hospital president and CEO Jody Levac, hand-delivered the Stage 2 submission to the ministry’s capital branch about a year ago, The Alliston Herald reported earlier. The Stage 2 submission provides a detailed look at the services that will be offered at the new facility, as well as space requirements. It’s also the phase when the province typically makes a funding commitment.
Elliott spoke about Stevenson and the proposed redevelopment of Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, saying there would be news to share on this project “very shortly.”
She also recommitted to touring both hospitals in the near future, but she has not announced when that will happen.
In a press release, Wilson, who continues to sit as an independent, said he was “very pleased” with Minister Elliott’s responses.
Stevenson is waiting on approval of its $166.7-million redevelopment project. At 161,000 sq. ft., the new hospital will require extensive construction to double the size of the current facility on Fletcher Crescent that was built in 1964. The plan includes:
- Total gross square footage of 161,577;
- A wrap-around two-story design that extends the hospital to the north and west
- Preserving the helipad on the northeast, with an unimpeded flight path;
- A dedicated internal road for ambulances on the west side of the property, away from traffic flows; and
- Nearly triple current parking spaces.
The new facility will feature a revitalized emergency department, triple the amount of parking spaces, new outpatient rooms, birthing suites and lab space.