Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Christine Elliott, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff and Grey County Warden Selwyn Hicks announce new investment in Markdale hospital (Photo by Adam Bell)Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Christine Elliott, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff and Grey County Warden Selwyn Hicks announce new investment in Markdale hospital (Photo by Adam Bell)
Midwestern

Markdale Hospital project receives further $53M investment; builder chosen

Politicians across Grey County were all smiles during a Zoom meeting with Premier Doug Ford and health Minister Christine Elliott this afternoon as $53-million dollars of additional funding for a hospital in Markdale was announced.

The new funding brings the total cost of the hospital project to $68-million dollars total, with construction expected to begin as early as next week.

Premier Ford says the investment is part of his government's commitment of ending "hallway medicine" in Ontario.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says the new investment will ensure patients in the area have access to high quality health care when they need it, and also thanked Grey Bruce Health Services for their contribution in getting the project off the ground.

Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Member of Provincial Parliament Bill Walker said he has been trying to "get this project over the line" for 20 years, and today he was able to do that, noting it is a great day for his riding, the town of Markdale and surrounding residents.

The contractor on the project will be Bird Construction.

When asked about the benefit of the new site compared to the current hospital in Markdale, Grey Bruce Health Services President & Chief Executive Officer Gary Sims said the day was "the end of a long journey" to secure a new hospital in Markdale, saying people can expect a lot of changes at the site over the next several months, starting next week with the installation of snow fences around the property, which will quickly morph into the construction of supporting roadways, utility installation and the property being marked.

Sims says they will work on the outside of the property over the summer, and hope to have a "closed-in premises" by early this fall.

Dr. Harvey Winfield said the new facility will feature much-needed modern ambulatory services, as well as "different clinics, as well as an Emergency Department that is more state-of-the-art".

The new hospital in Markdale is currently on track to begin accepting its first patients in 2023.

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