Ontario Construction News staff writer
Collingwood General and Marine Hospital is moving to the next stage of its redevelopment, with a $15 million planning grant from the province.
“After years of waiting, patients and their families can finally look forward to a new and improved Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, ensuring the hospital’s dedicated staff and frontline health care workers can continue delivering high-quality care in the community,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
“By investing in major hospital infrastructure, our government is furthering our commitment to build a modern, connected health care system and put an end to hallway health care for all Ontarians.”
Originally built in 1956, the current Collingwood General and Marine Hospital has been serving a growing community with an increasing senior population for over 60 years with limited upgrades. Through this investment, the hospital’s aging infrastructure will be redeveloped through a mix of new construction as well as renovations including:
- the expansion of key services, including intensive care, emergency, diagnostic imaging, and operating suite
- inclusion of new rehabilitation beds to provide care closer to home and the community
- additional inpatient capacity to allow the hospital to serve more patients and families
- renovations to upgrade the existing facility to ensure a comfortable environment for patients to receive care
- planning work to confirm priority programs for the hospital
Construction timelines will be determined once planning has been completed.
Funding is in addition to the $500,000 previously announced to support early capital planning.
“We are very pleased to receive approval from the Capital Branch of the Ministry of Health for our Stage One submission, and to officially move to Stage Two of the five-stage process,” said Norah Holder, Collingwood General and Marine Hospital President and CEO.
“Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and our community are excited to commence engaging in Stage Two of the process. This announcement represents a significant milestone regarding our hospital redevelopment project.”
The 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, outlined a total of $1.8 billion in additional investments for hospitals in 2021-22.
“Today is an important step in the process of achieving our goal of a new hospital for South Georgian Bay. I am grateful to the Ford government for its commitment to this long overdue project,” said MPP Jim Wilson.