Contractor starts work on Durham region Oak Ridges Hospice

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Ontario is expanding compassionate palliative care services for patients and families in the Durham region with an additional $600,000 in capital funding for three new hospice beds. It brings the total funding commitment to $1.6 million.

J.J. McGuire General Contractors began site preparations and grading last month, in anticipation of Ministry of Health approval for the technical submissions, allowing crews to pour the building foundations this fall.

The former Immaculate Conception school at 1722 Scugog St. in Port Perry was demolished in March 2018 to make way for the hospice building.

The 12,000-sq. ft. residential hospice will have the ability to expand to 10 private patient rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Rooms will also offer plenty of space for family and friends to visit, or even spend the night.

Once the expansion is completed at Oak Ridges Hospice in Durham, the province will provide the $840,000 annually to support end-of-life care for about 123 patients per year.

“Oak Ridges Hospice will provide people in the Durham Region with palliative care in a comfortable home-like space, where they can be close to loved ones,” Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said in a news release.

Oak Ridges Hospice will provide residential hospice services, including 24/7 professional nursing and personal support services, caregiver supports, grief and bereavement services, and pain and symptom management.

There will also be a family-style kitchen, therapeutic spa tub room, several quiet sitting areas as well as a children’s play area, a spiritual room, meeting rooms for support programs and training, nurses station, staff room and administrative offices, outdoor patio, gardens and green space.

It’s expected to be operational in 2020.

J.J. McGuire General Contractors began site preparations and grading last month, in anticipation of Ministry of Health approval for the technical submissions, allowing crews to pour the building foundations this fall.

A ground-breaking is expected in the near future.

“The Board of Directors is excited to see preparations start on the building site of Oak Ridges Hospice,” said board chair Dr. Steven Russell.

“This is the culmination of years of hard work, and the direct result of the generosity of our donors and community supporters. Someday, we’ll stand together, celebrating the opening of our centre for compassionate care.”

The majority of construction costs will come from donations and grants, and the “Building for Compassionate Care” capital campaign which has a goal of more than $6.6 million.