Centre Grey Health Services Foundation – Markdale
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
    • BOARD & STAFF
    • GBHS AND THE FIVE FOUNDATIONS
    • F.A.Q.
    • NEWS ARTICLES
    • NEWSLETTERS
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • MAKE A DONATION
    • LEGACY GIVING
    • GIVE IN MEMORY
    • THOUGHTFUL WISHES
    • MONTHLY GIVING
    • EVENT SPONSORSHIP
    • DONATE ONLINE
  • GET INVOLVED
    • VOLUNTEER
    • HOST AN EVENT
    • STORIES FROM THE HEART
  • CONTACT US
  • EVENTS
    • SPRING EVENT
    • SILENT AUCTION
    • LIGHT FOR LIFE
    • 50/50 Sweetheart Raffle
    • CURLING BONSPIEL
  • OUR HOSPITAL
    • OUR CURRENT HOSPITAL
    • THE NEW MARKDALE HOSPITAL
  • AUXILIARY
    • MEETINGS & PROGRAMS
    • AUXILIARY HISTORY
    • VOLUNTEERING
    • AUXILIARY NEWS
  • DONATE NOW
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
    • BOARD & STAFF
    • GBHS AND THE FIVE FOUNDATIONS
    • F.A.Q.
    • NEWS ARTICLES
    • NEWSLETTERS
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • MAKE A DONATION
    • LEGACY GIVING
    • GIVE IN MEMORY
    • THOUGHTFUL WISHES
    • MONTHLY GIVING
    • EVENT SPONSORSHIP
    • DONATE ONLINE
  • GET INVOLVED
    • VOLUNTEER
    • HOST AN EVENT
    • STORIES FROM THE HEART
  • CONTACT US
  • EVENTS
    • SPRING EVENT
    • SILENT AUCTION
    • LIGHT FOR LIFE
    • 50/50 Sweetheart Raffle
    • CURLING BONSPIEL
  • OUR HOSPITAL
    • OUR CURRENT HOSPITAL
    • THE NEW MARKDALE HOSPITAL
  • AUXILIARY
    • MEETINGS & PROGRAMS
    • AUXILIARY HISTORY
    • VOLUNTEERING
    • AUXILIARY NEWS
  • DONATE NOW
April 8, 2009 In 2009, All News, The New Markdale Hospital 2003-2010

Smitherman Supports New Hospital

By Don Crosby for The Markdale Standard

The Deputy-Premier of Ontario spoke encouragingly last week about the future of the proposed new hospital in Markdale. George Smitherman said the next step is to get more detailed planning done to make the Markdale hospital project more construction ready.

“There’s a very high degree of awareness in our government of the necessity of doing that in Markdale. I’ve seen that facility myself. We did give them some money to get the first bit of planning done but we know the community is ready to move to the next level. I’m looking, along side my colleague David Caplan, to find the capacity to do that,” Smitherman said during an interview following a turf-turning ceremony for a new recreation centre in Hanover on Friday, April 3.

“The Centre Grey Hospital, as an example, stands as a priority for the government of Ontario. We haven’t yet been able to identify the funding in that community, but no one can quarrel that there’s a need there. As we make infrastructure investments, Markdale as one small example is a place where additional revenue would be required,” said George Smitherman, who is also the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Maureen Solecki, the interim president and chief administrative officer of the Grey Bruce health Services, agreed that there are more planning steps needed to go through in order to get the final approval for the project and the hospital corporation is awaiting the ministry’s permission to move on to the next planning stage.

“The functional program is with the Ministry of Health and under consideration by them. At this point we don’t have approval of the functional program yet, so we can’t go on to the next step,” Solecki said.

Deputy-Premier very positive about new Centre Grey Hospital

Only about one third of the money promised by Smitherman in 2006 to pay for the planning and design of the new hospital has been spent.

“We’ve only received about $1 million of the $3 million grant . . . that was to get us to submit our functional design program to the Ministry of Health . . . there are a number of phases yet to go . . . in order to be ready for construction,” Solecki explained.

Markdale is fortunate to have a planning and design grant, she said, adding she is encouraged by Smitherman’s commitment to the project. “There are lots of communities in the province with desires to do major renovation projects or rebuild projects and they have not received approval for planning and design grants and we are very pleased that we have received that. Another huge factor for the rebuild of Centre Grey hospital has always been the huge community support of the project,” she said.

The minister said the Ontario government plans to spend an additional $7 billion in the next two years on hospital construction. He said that in the last five years the Liberal government has invested more money in hospitals than the last five governments in Ontario combined.

“Yes, as we make infrastructure investments, the Markdale hospital, as one small example is a place where additional revenue will be required. We’re going to keep building,” said Smitherman. “It’s a top-of-mind issue. Lots of places can make a strong case for why they need investment and Markdale can make a very, very strong case for that, so we hope to be in a position to show some progress for that community,” he added.

Solecki is aware of the huge pressure and demand on the province for hospital rebuilding plans and other infrastructure projects and recognizes the need to be patient as this one winds its way through a very complex approval process.

“It’s good to know that this project remains well-known to the minister. We’re thrilled with that because you know the community is concerned and anxious that the project go forward as soon as it possible,” she said.

Grey Bruce Owen MPP Bill Murdoch said he was heartened and surprised by Smitherman’s candor when asked by a reporter about the plans for the new hospital.

“He said it was right up there near the top . . . and as long as he keeps talking about it that way it will get done . . . to my mind he seemed quite genuine. I think it’s all positive,” said Murdoch, who believes Smitherman has a degree of personal commitment to the project. “I’ve always felt that way. I always felt George was committed to it . . . He has been right there from the start . . . and today just proved it when he spoke the way he did,” Murdoch said.

Previous StoryHope for Markdale Hospital
Next StoryLocal Resident’s Raise Over $1200 for Hospital Equipment in Markdale

Latest News

  • markdalehospital_south
    Artist’s Renderings of the New Markdale Hospital Friday, 1, Jun
  • GBHS To Issue Calls For Tender to Build New Markdale Hospital Friday, 4, Sep
  • Macphail kids give gift of music to Markdale hospital Wednesday, 24, Jun
  • COVID-19 Update From Your Foundation Wednesday, 25, Mar
  • 2nd Annual Hospital Bonspiel a Success! Monday, 9, Mar
  • Auxiliary
    Roaring 20’s Dinner / Dance Monday, 22, Apr

Archives

  • September 2020
  • June 2020
  • March 2020
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • July 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • November 2016
  • August 2016
  • May 2016
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • February 2015
  • November 2014
  • September 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • August 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • November 2012
  • July 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • February 2012
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • May 2011
  • February 2011
  • November 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • June 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • May 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • November 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • November 2004
  • July 2004
  • June 2004
  • May 2004
  • April 2004

Categories

  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Donor Bill of Rights
  • Board Members Portal

Charitable Registration #
BN 89063 4025 RR0001

Centre Grey Health Services Foundation
55 Isla Street, Box 406
Markdale ON N0C 1H0

Phone: (519)986-3040, Ext 6178

Executive Director, Ext #6178 Darlene Lamberti dlamberti@cghsfoundation.com

Financial Officer and Fundraising Assistant, Ext #6153
Lynn Horlor accounting@cghsfoundation.com

Find us on Facebook

Web Site by:

DragonflyDesigns.ca

© 2018 Centre Grey Health Services Foundation