Construction is set to begin on the new Markdale Hospital next week.
Premier Doug Ford confirmed in a Zoom announcement Friday afternoon the Ontario government is investing up to $53-million to support the development of the Grey Bruce Health Services facility.
Bird Construction has been awarded the contract to build the 68,000 square foot hospital, which will be located on Toronto Street South next to Grey Gables long-term care home.
It’s expected the construction of the new hospital will be complete by early 2023, followed by a three to four months transition period from the old Centre Grey General Hospital when employees and services will be moved.
The new hospital will include a 24/7 emergency department, four acute care beds, a palliative care room, four exam and treatment areas, a laboratory, medical imaging services, ambulatory care clinics, and two ambulance bays.
Ontario’s Minister of Health Christine Elliott says once completed, the new hospital will help ensure people and families in Markdale and neighbouring areas will have access to a state-of-the-art facility and high quality services closer to home.
Grey Bruce Health Services President and CEO Gary Sims says the anticipated total cost is around $68-million. In addition to the funding from the Ontario government, community fundraising of about $12-million to $13-million will be required to finance it.
Design render of new Markdale Hospital. (supplied image)
Centre Grey Health Services Foundation Board Chair Betty Bassett says they’ve raised about $7-million to date, and will be embarking on a campaign to generate more funds.
Sims credits the Foundation for their work over the past 20 years in working with the community on this project.
“A community that has given, and given, and given, and patiently waited for this moment,” Sims says. “I am so pleased. I feel like I’m just a visitor arriving at the end of this journey. And I’m so fortunate to be able to tell people how happy we are to get those shovels in the ground.”
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker says this is a fantastic day for the area, particularly for Markdale and surrounding communities.
“We have been trying for 20 years to get this over the line and today we have been able to do that,” Walker says. “There’s a lot of smiles here.”
Walker says it took a lot of persistence, a lot of work and a lot of effort by a lot of people to arrive at this point (when the hospital is finally being built).
“The Ministry of Health people may use a different word than persistence at times, it may start with pain,” Walker chuckles. “But at the end of the day, we’re all here and very excited.”
Grey Highlands Mayor Paul McQueen offered thanks to the Ontario government for approving the hospital build.
“Our community is so grateful for what you are doing,” McQueen says.
The next few weeks will be busy at the site. Sims says work fences will be raised early next week and then site clearing will commence, followed by the building-in of roads and installation of utility lines. He says they’re looking at having a closed-in premises later this year, with interior work going on through next winter.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff and Grey County Warden Selwyn Hicks were also on-hand for Friday’s Zoom announcement.
