The new hospital for Markdale has passed another hurdle.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has reviewed the Stage 3.1 Submission from Grey Bruce Health Services and has given its approval.
The next submission will expand on architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical and landscape drawings. It will also include details on the water and sanitary sewers and hydro for the site, plus plans for the heating and ventilation, plumbing, sprinkler protection and medical gases.
The new hospital will include four acute care beds, a palliative care room, a 24/7 emergency room with seven treatment areas, a procedures room, laboratory, diagnostic imaging services, physiotherapy and space for ambulatory care clinics.
The total project will cost approximately $63-million. The ministry has committed to fund 90% of what it considers "allowable construction costs." The remaining 10% will come through the Centre Grey Hospital Foundation from the community.
"This past October, we submitted the first part of our Stage 3 planning to the Ministry," said Lance Thurston, GBHS, president and CEO. "It’s a very positive sign that only three months later, we have an approval in-hand. This means the province is onboard with our plans for the new hospital, and we are another step closer to getting a shovel in the ground."
Construction is expected to begin in 2019 and will take about two and a half years.