A hospital redevelopment meeting held in Huntsville on Monday is one of several public meetings being held throughout the region.
Again, community members were told the local share of building two new hospitals is estimated at $225 Million in five years. That’s because under the provincial capital cost sharing for new hospital builds communities are responsible for 10 per cent of the total eligible construction costs and 100 per cent of the equipment, furniture, land, and required servicing costs, explained hospital CEO, Cheryl Harrison. The local share has also increased since past iterations as a result of inflation, calculated by the Ministry of Health at six per cent. Those in attendance also heard that the cost is still not set in stone. It is a moving estimate which will be impacted by things like market conditions at the time of construction and hospital design.
Harrison said Huntsville hospital was built in 1978 and sits on 40 acres, with plenty of room for redevelopment. Currently, the ideal development site being contemplated is beside the existing hospital on the east side. The existing building would be removed and the area would serve as level parking. The plan also calls for an entrance/exit on the north side of the property—possibly through Earls Road.
The Bracebridge hospital was built in 1964 with expansions in the 1980s and 1990s. Harrison said the existing property is landlocked and has an environmentally protected ravine. Harrison said MAHC wants to make sure everyone has input on the site selection for a new hospital in the south. Three properties are being considered out of 12.
Members of the public were given an opportunity to ask questions at the back of the room after the presentation, where those working on the project stood by various information charts.
A Q&A chart included information about renovation versus the new construction of a hospital in Huntsville—a question that has been asked many times. The answer: Renovation is disruptive to patients. It can also be extremely expensive and cost prohibitive. The existing structure is not capable of supporting a third floor. Current building codes require hospitals to be designed to withstand seismic earthquake forces. The current building code would also require substantial structural work on the foundation and first and second-floor structures. Many areas of the existing hospital—from the Emergency Department to inpatient units—are too small for the type of care provided today and do not meet today’s standards, it stated.
The schedule for the next public meetings are as follows:
January 17 – 7 p.m. – Terry Fox Auditorium, Gravenhurst Centennial Centre
January 18 – 7 p.m. – Armour Ryerson Burk’s Falls Arena Hall
January 19 – 7 p.m. – Dwight Community Centre
January 21 – 10 a.m. – Port Carling Community Centre (2nd floor)
January 21 – 2 p.m. – Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre, Bracebridge
Alternatively, virtual open houses are also scheduled on Monday, January 23 at 2 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 25 at 7 p.m. To register visit www.mahc.ca/openhouse.
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