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June 2nd, 2008: Kemptville benefits from changed hospital capital funding policy.
Kemptville District Hospital
2675 Concession Road, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Tel: (613) 258-6133; Fax: (613) 258-7853
June 2, 2008
For Immediate Release – June 2, 2008
Kemptville, ON, May 28, 2008 – As construction of the Kemptville District Hospital draws nearer the actual magnitude of the redevelopment is becoming clear. “As I speak with people about the Hospital almost doubling in size and the project being $21 plus million, there is a recognition that the community has really achieved something wonderful,” said CEO Colin Goodfellow.
For Tracey Howarth, Redevelopment Coordinator, working to keep all the numbers clear in the public’s mind is a job in itself, as both the redevelopment and its funding have changed. For example, notices sent out from Kemptville District Hospital soliciting general contractors who would like to bid on the redevelopment had the construction cost of the project at approximately $14 million. “The public needs to know that the project will end up in the low $20 million area and that the $14 million figure is the estimated direct cost of construction.” However, Goodfellow adds that a change in provincial funding policy means that the funds raised by the community through the Lean on Me campaign will be enough and new fundraising for the expanded redevelopment is not required. “The funding agreement underpinning this expansion had been a 50/50 cost split between us and the Ministry of Health. The community stepped up to the plate and raised their five million dollars to cover both the capital and equipment cost. After the community was given the go ahead for a $10 million Emergency Room and Ambulatory Care renovation in January 2006, the Ministry adjusted its general cost-sharing policy to a 90/10 split. We worked hard to be included under this new funding policy and our provincial partners supported that.”
The changed scope reflects the province’s and the hospital’s shared recognition that as one of Eastern Ontario’s fastest growing communities this is the time to build for the future. Now the project has roughly 38,000 square feet of new space, a new design that will offer a dramatically improved functionality, new operating rooms and increased efficiency and comfort for the patients and staff. As a leading rural hospital in the province, a new building is crucial for the community.
Goodfellow acknowledged that when the original approval announcement was made by Minister Smitherman people had expected to see the shovel in the ground now. “it’s true that our original deadline was spring 2008, but I am confident most people would agree that doubling the size of the project and tripling the amount of provincial money being put into our community is worth the extra five or six months of patience.”
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Please click here to see the pie charts which illustrate size and nature of expanded redevelopment
Colin Goodfellow, CEO
613-258-6133 x194
cgoodfellow@kdh.on.ca