Ontario investing $95M for new Collingwood hospital
The Ford government announced a $95 million investment to build a new Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones braved a snowstorm to deliver the news on Thursday, alongside Simcoe Grey MPP Brian Saunderson.
“It’s why I’m wearing my Christmas tie,” Saunderson joked.
Jones called the move “the best solution for the community,” referring to years of deliberation between redeveloping the current site or moving to a new location.
The new facility will be built on 32 acres of land along Poplar Sideroad, with the exact location yet to be confirmed.
State-of-the-Art Facility
The new hospital will significantly enhance health care services in the region, with capacity increasing to 132 private inpatient beds, up from 84 beds.
It will also expand intensive care, emergency, and diagnostic services, while enhancing infection prevention and control measures.
The new location will be nearly four-times larger than the existing facility, and will create the need to double the workforce, with efforts focusing on training the next generation of health care providers.
Currently, the Collingwood hospital serves 74,000 residents and 3.5 million annual visitors from surrounding communities, including Wasaga Beach, Clearview, and the Blue Mountains.
Long-Term Vision
Simcoe County has pledged $20 million toward the new hospital, but the total cost of the project remains undetermined as construction contracts are still years away from being tendered.
The project is expected to break ground in 2028, with completion anticipated by 2033.
As for the current hospital site, Michael Lacroix, CEO of Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, said, work would be done to decide the best course of action.
“But we do have some time to figure that out,” he added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
Harm reduction advocates hope high court will 'clarify' Canada's 'Good Samaritan' law
Canada's Good Samaritan law, which is meant to shield people from arrest after they seek help for someone in medical distress, is under spotlight in the Supreme Court of Canada.
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford to speak in Toronto
Premier Doug Ford is set to speak in Toronto on Tuesday morning, after addressing early Ontario election rumours a day earlier.
Queen Elizabeth II wasn't told about Soviet spy in her palace, declassified MI5 files show
Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t told details of her long-time art adviser's double life as a Soviet spy because palace officials didn’t want to add to her worries, newly declassified documents reveal.
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, officials say
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, two officials involved in the talks said Tuesday. Mediator Qatar said the negotiations were at the “closest point” yet to sealing a deal.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, visits hospital where she had cancer treatment
Kate, Princess of Wales, visited a London hospital on Tuesday where she underwent cancer treatment last year to personally thank medics there for their care and support, her office said.
Strong winds forecast for Los Angeles threaten area's fight against fires
Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters have arrived at the Los Angeles area ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threaten the progress made so far on two massive infernos that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
Icelandic discount carrier Play Airlines pulls out of Canada, leaving customers in dark
Play Airlines is pulling out of Canada less than two years after entering the market.