Ontario Construction News staff writer
The New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital project has achieved a significant planning milestone with the submission of its Stage 1.3 (formerly Stage 2) plan to the Ministry of Health.
The submission includes a functional program, a set of block diagrams, a campus plan, and an updated cost estimate and was developed over the past 16 months by expert hospital planners in consultation with 40 User Groups representing all hospital programs and services.The submission was developed over the past 16 months by expert hospital planners, in consultation with 40 user groups representing all hospital programs and services.
In its November 2022 Market Update, Infrastructure Ontario announced an expedited timeline for the project with tendering expected in 2025 and construction starting by 2026.
“This is an innovative and inclusive plan that really captures what the User Groups involved in planning – and our community – have determined is required to build a state-of-the-art hospital with the capacity to provide timely, patient and family-centred care for generations to come,” said David Musyj, president and CEO.
The plan is based on current and future project volumes and incorporates the extensive community feedback received throughout this planning stage.
A draft version of the was shared during a recent town hall meeting before it was endorsed by the Windsor Regional Hospital Board of Directors and submitted to the Ministry.
Highlights include:
- 100 per cent private rooms
- shelled-in space for future growth
- simulation training centre and auditorium
- Indigenous healing space
- cafeteria with access to outdoor seating
- links to city-planned trails and bus service
The Ministry of Health capital branch will now review the submission to ensure it aligns with provincial expectations and standards for modern and efficient hospital care.
“We look forward to working with the ministry throughout this approval process, responding promptly to feedback and getting a final plan approved so we move to the next planning stage and get this hospital built for Windsor-Essex,” said Musyj.
The submission is the first of three planning stages outlined in the Ministry of Health’s Capital Planning and Policy Manual. Ministry approval is required before proceeding to Stage 2 – Detailed Planning – where the teams will further develop the plans and initiate the tendering process to select a company to complete the plans and build the hospital.
