The Windsor Essex Acute Care Hospital has officially made its latest submission to the Ministry of Health.
The latest submission includes the desired programming for the new hospital, a campus plan, and an updated cost estimate.
The plan includes a nine-storey in-patient tower and a five-storey diagnostic and treatment block, capacity for 100 per cent private rooms, space for future growth, a simulation training centre and auditorium, Indigenous healing space, cafeteria with access to outdoor seating and links to city-planned trails and bus routes.
"It is based on current and projected volumes and incorporates the extensive community feedback received, and it requires ministry approval before we proceed to the next planning stage," said Musyj.
Formal approval to go into the detailed planning stage is expected before the end of the year. The current schedule includes going for a construction tender in 2025 with shovels in the ground by 2026.
Musyj indicated the hospital cannot disclose current cost estimates until it has been approved by the ministry and the tender has been approved.
"The number that is being bounced around, but again is so tentative, is larger than what we've previously estimated just because of inflation and because of supply chain issues," said Musyj.
As the hospital planning team waits for approval on plans for the new site, the focus will shift to plans for the Ouellette urgent care site.