Infrastructure renewal project under way at Kincardine hospital

The infrastructure renewal project at South Bruce Grey Health Centre’s Kincardine site is in full swing, with work under way to replace the facility’s boilers, chillers and other essential equipment to ensure patient and staff comfort.

Last September, the health centre board received a $3-million Exceptional Circumstance Project Grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long‐Term Care to fund this initiative.

Attempts to get ministry approval to redevelop the aging facility have been ongoing since 2011, when an approved plan to redevelop was cancelled. The facility is approximately 60 years old, with some parts of the building approaching 100 years of age. Due to time and wear, the building’s major electrical, mechanical and architectural systems are nearing the end of their useful lifecycle.

“We have had to explore many avenues to get to where we are today, and it’s very satisfying to see improvements being made, “says Paul Rosebush, president and chief executive officer. “We still have a significant amount of work to do, but we are committed to ensuring that the Kincardine hospital is redeveloped to meet the needs of our patients and staff for years to come.”

In July, 2016, a capital request was submitted to the ministry to address the rest of the much-needed infrastructure improvements, including renovations to expand/enhance the emergency department, laboratory, registration and waiting areas, ambulatory care, and other general improvements across the site. Ministry approval on this request is pending.