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"We're on the list," CGMH president optimistic about access to redevelopment funds

Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson and CGMH president Norah Holder excited about Collingwood hospital redevelopment support announced in provincial budget yesterday.
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Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson is also the Provincial Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Erika Engel/CollingwoodToday

After more than 20 years in office, MPP Jim Wilson is calling yesterday’s provincial budget a career highlight.

The budget included an announcement the province would be supporting redevelopment applications by Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Stevenson Memorial Hospital (Alliston).

Both hospitals are in Wilson’s riding, and he’s been pushing for funding to expand both for ten years.

“I don’t know anyone who’s been able to push two hospitals in the same riding,” said Wilson. “I’m extremely grateful … It’s the highlight of my career for sure.”

He said the last time there was a Collingwood specific project listed in the Ontario budget was in 2000 under Premier Ernie Eves when the Highway 26 expansion project was first approved.

"This is a signal – as far as I'm concerned – a green light for corporate sponsors to sign on," said Wilson. "For the first time in a good ten years, it means [the hospitals] have the green light to go ahead, and they have access to the millions of dollars they need for the journey." 

Wilson said there's no specific line item assigned to Collingwood or Alliston's hospital in the budget, but that's usual. Funds will be available, according to Wilson, as approved through the five stages of the redevelopment process. 

Norah Holder, president and CEO of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH), said she and the hospital staff were “thrilled” to hear the province was including Collingwood’s hospital redevelopment on a list of health care projects it would be supporting.

“What I’m really thrilled about is we’re on the list. And being on the list is a good thing,” said Holder.

She said she and the redevelopment team is currently “refreshing” the phase one application.

“We’re updating the document with current and relevant data,” she said. “It was submitted three years ago, so we’re making sure the number of beds and the types of services are relevant moving forward.”

She said the hospital will be sending the updated phase one application to the government’s capital branch in the next two weeks.

“Our hope is that this [announcement] is a good sign and we can get approval and can commence stage two,” said Holder. “Hearing that we are going to be provided funds to help us along the journey is a really positive sign.”

The hospital’s redevelopment will be a five-stage process. The first stage deals with programs and services. Once the capital branch approves stage one, Holder said the hospital will know more about what can be offered in the redeveloped hospital. Stage two is planning for the facilities in which to offer those services. Holder said it’s possible in stage two to find out whether the government will be supporting an entirely new facility or whether the redevelopment will include renovation of the existing facility and adding new space. However, it’s not guaranteed those particulars will be decided in stage two.

“This is a nebulous process,” said Holder. “There are a lot of other compounding factors to consider.”

The total cost of a redeveloped hospital is also a moving target, as it will depend on what is approved. 

According to Holder, the hospital is required to raise 10 per cent of the funds necessary for a new hospital locally. The County of Simcoe has committed $20 million to the project, and Holder said the goal is to raise a total of $80 million.

“The foundation will be moving forward with that, and that’s a good news story,” said Holder.

To read more about the Ontario budget, click here. The pages pertaining to CGMH and Stevenson Memorial Hospital are 115 and 116.


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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