We’re starting to get a better picture of what Prince Edward County’s new hospital may look like once complete.
Members of the Back The Build Committee gave an update on the fundraising, design and construction plans for the new hospital which is expected to break ground in 2024 and be open in 2027.
The new 92,260 square foot hospital will be built just to the west of the current hospital and will include 18 inpatient beds (with room to expand to 23 beds in the future), a 13-bed emergency department, ambulatory clinics and inpatient unit on the first floor, along with a dialysis unit, administration and mechanical service spaces on the second floor.
The current hospital will continue to operate while the new building is constructed, then be demolished over a few months, once the new build is complete.
The overall site plan for the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital which is set to be completed in 2027. (Photo: Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation)
Architect Jason-Emery Groen gave a detailed overview of the design process and says the goal is to try to “de-institutionalize” the look and feel of the new hospital.
“Access to natural light, warm materials, an inviting civic atmosphere. Elements so very important to how this building can stitch into the core of the fabric of The County. The creation of what we hope is a point of pride for such an amazing region and a place for proactive health and healing.”
Groen cited some examples of hospitals in Europe that have similar aesthetics, noting the impact that a non-traditional building can have on staff and patients’ well-being.
“There’s a hint there that health care spaces need not be so visually sterile. Just maybe, carefully designed spaces and environments can truly help staff support patients in their journey to heal. So what might it mean to create comfortable, contemporary, civic space for the region’s residents and visitors?”
The entire project is expected to cost close to $80 million, with the building process being administered through Infrastructure Ontario (IO).
Infrastructure Ontario rep David Steiner says the construction drawings are being put together and the request for contractors still have to go out.
Steiner noted that they do rely on larger “experienced contractors with the expertise and finances to complete a project of this scale”, as contractors are expected to fund the project themselves and then be reimbursed by the government afterwards.
He says they are expecting to see some local connections to the build as well.
“Often the most effective way is to use that local labour and to use those local distributors and local providers. So what we see is that the local economy 100% benefits from this. IO and the client never mandate who a contractor can use, because you kind of lose efficiency in your dollar value.”
The first floor layout of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, which is set to be completed in 2027. (Photo: Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation)
The local share of the cost is $16.5 million and so far, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Back The Build Campaign has raised $15.7 million of that.
Foundation Chair Barbara McConnell thanked everyone who has contributed to the project so far saying, “If not for the generosity of the community in contributing to back the build, we likely wouldn’t be holding this meeting today.”
McConnell says seeing the renderings and plans are making it feel that much closer to reality.
“I’m so excited about what it looks like and where the elements are, it’s a virtual shovel in the ground and it just gives me a sense of terrific anticipation. We have a strong sense of pride in our local hospital and this will carry on that tradition.”
You can click here to read a fact sheet on the new hospital, which includes more details on the departments and features included in the project.
Anyone with further questions about the project is encouraged to email info@pecmhf.ca.
The second floor layout for the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, which is set to be completed in 2027. (Photo: Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation)
