Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is scheduled to begin Nov. 11 on a new welcome centre in the main lobby of Guelph General Hospital, with completion expected in January 2027.
The Ted and Neena Kohli Welcome Centre will feature an upgraded information and welcome desk, improved wayfinding and signage, a digital information display, new seating and updated finishes and design features.
The project is named after long-time hospital supporters Ted and Neena Kohli, whose $500,000 donation in February 2025 is helping fund several hospital priorities, including the welcome centre renovation and medical equipment purchases.
“Coming to the hospital can be overwhelming; it is important to us that we provide an environment that is welcoming, accessible, and efficient to help navigate a visit with us,” said hospital president and CEO Mark Walton.
“This project will streamline navigation, improve comfort, and ensure a smoother experience for patients and their loved ones from the moment they arrive to when they return to the community,” he said.
The hospital’s main entrance will remain open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week during construction. Visitors arriving outside those hours will be directed to enter through the emergency department.
Construction will not affect parking, programs or services. Volunteers will remain stationed in the main lobby to assist visitors with wayfinding and navigating changes to the space.
The hospital has not publicly identified the general contractor or disclosed the construction contract value.
