The next phase of plans for the new Markdale Hospital have now been submitted to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for approval. The plans, referred to as a Stage 3.1 Submission, were submitted last week, and include the architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical and landscape drawings for the new hospital.

"It is very exciting to see this project coming together. The architects met over the summer with staff, volunteers, and patients to get their input on the plans, understand how they use the space, and what works best for them," said Lance Thurston, President and CEO, GBHS. "The team incorporated this feedback into the designs, and the proposed new hospital looks great. We are looking forward to sharing the designs with the community shortly.'

A series of images from the Submission will be on display in the Markdale Hospital by the end of this month. The Centre Grey Hospital Foundation is also planning to mount images of the proposed design in public spaces throughout the community.

The new hospital will be approximately 68,000 square feet over two floors and includes four beds, a palliative care room, 24/7 emergency room with seven treatment areas, a procedures room, laboratory, diagnostic imaging services, physio, and space for ambulatory care clinics. A wall of windows facing south will maximize natural light, and is designed to minimize heat gain in the summer months, and take advantage of solar gains in the winter. The building will have LED lighting throughout, with building materials selected to minimize vibration and noise.

The new hospital will have 100 parking spaces for cars, and three spaces for horses and buggies.

The Ministry will work with GBHS until at least the end of this year before approving the project to proceed to the next phase, Stage 3.2. Stage 4 involves developing contracts, finalizing construction-ready plans, completing and issuing tender documentation, and ultimately, awarding construction contracts. Construction is anticipated to begin sometime in 2019 and take two years to complete.

More information on the new Markdale Hospital project is available at www.gbhs.on.ca.

source: media release, Grey Bruce Health Services