Province okays planning stage for $30-million redevelopment of Kincardine hospital

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long‐Term Care has approved the South Bruce Grey Health Centre to proceed with Stage 1 planning for a $30-million redevelopment of the Kincardine hospital.

In July, 2016, a capital request was submitted to the ministry to address the facility’s aging infrastructure and renovations to expand/enhance the emergency department, laboratory, registration and waiting areas, ambulatory care and other general improvements across the site.

The first stage of the ministry’s capital planning process, and the subsequent review, will take about one year to complete, states a press release from the health centre. Approval of the Stage 1 plan will be required to move on with the five-stage process.

“We are very proud to have reached this milestone after years of preparation and advocacy for this project to proceed,” said Paul Rosebush, president and chief executive officer of the health centre. “This facility is in dire need of attention, and redevelopment will ensure that we can continue to provide high quality health services well into the future for this community.

"Best-case scenario, if all stages are approved, major renovations would begin sometime in 2021.”

An infrastructure renewal project is currently under way at the Kincardine hospital, to replace the facility’s boilers, chillers and other essential equipment to ensure patient and staff comfort.