OSMH president pushing for new Orillia hospital to meet growing demand
"I would really like to see a new hospital as quickly as possible."
As the City of Orillia grows, Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital's president and CEO Carmine Stumpo says it's time for a new hospital.
"It is the growth of our community that is really making our planning an urgent issue."
Stumpo is seeking a planning grant of roughly $3 million from the ministry to move forward with plans for a new facility.
On Friday, the hospital's president and his team pitched the idea at the District's Chamber of Commerce virtual meeting, with local politicians and business leaders in agreement.
"A new hospital is really needed for Orillia," said Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes.
"We see that our hospital is a little bit older. It's not modernized through the Places to Grow Act of 2005," added Allan Lafontaine, Orillia and District Chamber of Commerce executive director.
They say the hospital doesn't have enough space or beds to care for the growing and aging population adequately.
The latest census data reports the Orillia area is outpacing the province with about nine per cent growth.
Which, according to Simcoe North MP Adam Chambers, is a problem.
"We don't have the base-level infrastructure to support that population growth," said Chambers. "It's either not going to work, and we're not going to attract the people to begin with, like, how can you attract somebody to come to live in a part of Severn or Oro where they don't have high-speed internet?"
The Chamber of Commerce is rolling out its four pillars to grow and support the community, pushing for a new hospital, better internet in rural areas, more roads and economic development.
"It takes far too long for lands to be developed for business parks, for commerce, as well as housing," Lafontaine said.
"I think creating the conditions for municipalities to thrive is what's important for our region," noted Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop.
Stumpo estimates a new Orillia hospital could come with a price tag in the $800 million range.
"We are outgrowing the facility. That's probably our biggest risk," he noted.
Without a planning grant, Stumpo said it's too early to know where a new hospital would be located or when it could be ready.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6974342.1721750853!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Edmonton gas station employee found guilty of terrorism charges in the U.K.
An Edmonton man has been convicted of multiple charges under the Terrorism Act in the United Kingdom.
Laws that could get Canadians in trouble in Spain and other tourism hotspots
There are some laws in popular tourist destinations around the world that could land Canadian travellers in mild-to-serious trouble if they're not careful. Don't let these local laws land you in hot water during your next vacation abroad.
U.S. Secret Service director resigns after Trump assassination attempt
The director of the Secret Service is stepping down from her job, according to an email she sent to staff, following the assassination attempt against former U.S. president Donald Trump that unleashed intensifying outcry about how the agency tasked with protecting current and former presidents could fail in its core mission.
Quebec mom devastated after man who killed her daughter in hit-and-run gets out after 5 months
A Montreal-area mother is furious with Quebec's justice system because the man who killed her 25-year-old daughter in a 2022 hit-and-run was released from jail after only serving one-sixth of his sentence behind bars.
Waterloo, Ont. woman out thousands for car totalled by stolen hit-and-run driver
A woman in Waterloo, Ont. is out thousands of dollars for a car crash she wasn’t involved in.
BREAKING Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
DEVELOPING Wildfire near Jasper National Park prompts evacuation order and highway closures
Multiple wildfires in Jasper National Park flared up with a vengeance late Monday night, forcing all park visitors along with the 4,700 residents of the Jasper townsite to flee west with little notice over mountain roads through darkness, soot, and ash.
Keanu Reeves explains why he's always thinking about death
Keanu Reeves is aging like the rest of us. And for that reason, 'The Matrix' has shared, mortality has been on his mind.
Do you need a lawyer when making a will in Canada?
Many people believe that creating a will requires the services of a lawyer, but this isn't always the case. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew explains a lawyer's role when crafting your last will and testament.