Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has purchased 22 acres of vacant land beside the hospital’s highway 93 location in Midland, ensuring future growth.
“Both the hospital and foundation boards realized their responsibility in securing this property for the future stability of GBGH,” says David Turner, GBGH Foundation president. “By making this purchase, the Foundation is investing in the future of the hospital, ensuring there is sufficient space when there is a need to expand.”
A donation from the late Gil Robillard and his family made the purchase possible.
“We are extremely grateful to the Robillard family whose kindness is enabling the Foundation to invest in the future of healthcare for our community,” said Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation.
“At this time, there are no plans for construction on the property, but given the age and size of our existing building, we know there will eventually be a need to redevelop and expand on a single hospital site.”
Susan Robillard was at the announcement.
“My dad was a visionary with great foresight. He liked planning for the future, and the purchase of land to ensure future stability does just that,” she said. “We are glad the Foundation could use the Gil Robillard Fund to help ensure the future of healthcare for our community.”
Preliminary results from the hospital’s master planning process indicates the size of the hospital will need to dramatically increase in the next 20 to 30 years. The existing hospital was built in 1976 and there is no existing vacant space in which to expand services. Through the Foundation making this investment in GBGH, it provides the hospital with significant growth potential – either to expand the existing building or construct a new building in the future.
The new land will provide space for a completely new build, which can be significantly less costly and more efficient than renovating an old, existing building. Additionally, the hospital will maintain this centrally located, convenient and accessible site for decades to follow.