Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH) have announced that EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare is the preferred proponent to design, build and finance the new hospital development project in Centre Wellington, Ont.

IO and GMCH selected EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare after extensive evaluations following a fair, open and transparent request for proposals (RFP) process that began in June 2016. Three teams-GMCH Partnership, EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare and PCL Constructors Canada-submitted bids. The EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare team includes:

• Developer: EllisDon Capital Inc.
• Architect: Tillmann Ruth Robinson
• Engineering Teams: The Mitchell Partnership; WalterFedy Partnership; Hastings and Aziz
• Construction: EllisDon Design Build Inc.
• Financial advisor: EllisDon Capital Inc.

The new hospital will be built in Aboyne, Ont., between Elora and Fergus, and replace the existing GMCH in Fergus. Expected to be completed in late 2019, the new GMCH project will include:

• a replacement hospital built on a greenfield site, with more space for emergency, ambulatory, diagnostic and inpatient services to accommodate a growing community
• 37 of the 45 beds will be in private single patient rooms with a dedicated washroom and shower and large windows 
• the remaining eight beds will be in two-bed rooms each with a private washroom 
• all inpatient rooms will have views of the surrounding rural landscape, including the Grand River and extensive trail network
• modernized infection control measures, including additional isolation facilities, to enhance the hospital's ability to respond to a pandemic or disease outbreak
• an onsite helipad to allow for faster access to patient transfers by air ambulance
• large windowed areas that allow natural light to penetrate deep into the building and ultimately connect the interior with the outside
• Simplified wayfinding, making it easy for visitors and patients to navigate to their desired destinations. Hospital services that are used most frequently by outpatients are positioned closest to the main entrance to ensure easy access.

Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, commented: 

• “The people of Centre Wellington will soon have the modern rural hospital they deserve. The new Groves Memorial Community Hospital will ensure that the people in this growing community will have access to high-quality healthcare close to home for generations to come.”