Ontario Construction News staff writer
Less than a month after receiving approval and increased funding to construct a 2,000-sq.-ft addition on the CT Suite, Kincardine Hospital’s redevelopment project has passed another significant milestone with approval from the Ministry of Health to advance to Stage 3 of the five-stage capital planning process.
This approval is for phase one of the project, including expansion and modernization of the emergency department, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, decontamination room and lobby, at an estimated cost of $60 million.
The hospital is over 40 years old and the new emergency department, imaging and lab areas will be almost three times larger than the current space.
“This announcement is great news for the residents of Kincardine, surrounding communities as well as the staff and physicians at the Kincardine Hospital,” said Becky Fair, Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation president.
The construction contract for the CT Suite was awarded in April to K&L Construction Ltd. after an open tender process that began in December 2021. Construction is expected to begin in the coming days and be completed in early 2023.
Work includes building a private CT suite, technologist area, patient prep room, wait space, change room, washroom and stretcher holding area. The purchase order for the Siemens CT scanner was issued in 2021, and the equipment is expected to arrive as soon as the addition is completed.
Although not expected for several years, the hospital is planning the second phase of the redevelopment which will include the inpatient unit and operating room and is estimated to cost $113 million.
“This is a major milestone in moving the Kincardine hospital towards a new emergency department, diagnostic imaging department, laboratory services, and a new and expanded decontamination room,” said Michael Barrett, SBGHC president and CEO.
“Together with construction now getting underway for the new CT suite addition at the Kincardine hospital, and today’s announcement that the redevelopment project is taking a significant step forward, these are exciting times for health care in Kincardine and the surrounding community.”
Kincardine is expected to grow significantly over the next decade, influenced by expansions at nearby Bruce Power.
Stage 3 of a capital project when the majority of building design happens, including the development of architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical and landscape drawings, and the functional program that was developed in Stage 2 is translated into a two-dimensional design format.
That is followed by stage 4 when working drawings are developed that are suitable for public tendering and construction purposes, and then construction is stage 5.
The hospital foundation has launched a capital campaign, with an overall goal of raising $12 million for the redevelopment project, as well as the hospital’s ongoing medical equipment needs.
A $500,000 donation was received from Bruce Power’s supplier partners through the Bruce Power Supplier Sponsorship Package.
“Bruce Power’s Life Extension Program will help Ontario meet our net zero targets while at the same time creating jobs, boosting our local economy and enhancing our supply of life-saving medical isotopes,” said Mike Rencheck Bruce Power’s President and CEO. “This also creates the opportunity for our communities to enhance infrastructure like hospitals, schools, and recreation facilities to ensure local residents have opportunities and resources that they deserve as we continue to develop the Clean Energy Frontier towards a prosperous and sustainable future.”