More than 300 people turned out to the Georgian Bay Hotel Monday night for a council meeting on the Collingwood hospital redevelopment.
Hospital officials urged council to grant the necessary approvals to rebuild Collingwood General and Marine Hospital at preferred site of Poplar Sideroad.
“The hospital has spent many months preparing a concise thorough and visonary stage one to the ministry,” hospital board chair Thom Paterson told council.
However, council decided to defer any decision on the matter so hospital and town officials could work on some outstanding issues.
A number of officials including a consultant and the town’s solicitor argued the planning process for a new site is complex and takes time to complete.
“The town of Collingwood identified that in order to have a hospital on the site selected a municipal comprehensive review was absolutely required,” said solicitor John Mascarin.
Officials with the County of Simcoe argued a deeper review is needed.
The hospital wants to move forward on the next step in planning the $400 million redevelopment.
Council is expected to decide on how to proceed at its May 8th meeting.
