Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is contributing up to $2.5 million to support early planning for Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s new South Campus Health Hub in Innisfil.
“After decades of inaction from previous governments, we are making historic investments in hospital infrastructure all across Ontario,” Premier Doug Ford at a Barrie news conference.
“With this investment, the people and families of Simcoe County will now have access to the world class health care that this growing community needs and deserves.”
The new South Campus is part of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s integrated two-site capital plan to build new infrastructure in Innisfil and redevelop the existing hospital in Barrie.
A south campus is new construction that will be built in three phases, starting with ambulatory and urgent care services and ending 20 years later with a free-standing, acute care hospital with 24/7 emergency services.
On Oct. 27, 2021, Innisfil council requested an MZO to kickstart the project’s zoning approvals process; the Town of Innisfil maintains other approvals including site plan and consulting with conservation authorities and remains responsible for getting this project across the finish line.
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Approved by the province earlier this year, the MZO includes an Environmental Protection Zone, which captures the natural heritage features located on the subject lands. This zoning category was developed through collaboration with the Town of Innisfil, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and the Lake Simcoe and Region Conservation Authority.
“Although developing a hospital is complex and timelines can be long, the MZO provides planning certainty that RVH’s South Campus can be built at this location,” said RVH President and CEO Janice Skot.
“It enables the health centre to continue detailed site planning and well-positions us to more quickly secure provincial approvals for the plan which will improve access to health care for area residents for generations to come.”