Cost of projected projects range from $182 million to $210 million
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare CEO Natalie Bubela goes over potential design options with resident Judy Ransome at a public information session hosted in Burk’s Falls on Friday, March 8. – Danielle Marr/Metroland
BURK’S FALLS — To start from scratch or build on the old — that is the question.
Roughly 60 south Almaguin residents made their way to the Burk’s Falls arena on March 8 to sit in on the last of six public information sessions hosted by the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare capital plan development task force to learn about plans for the future of South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge and Huntsville District Memorial Hospital in Huntsville.
“I hope that we can all agree we have turned a corner,” said task force chair Cameron Renwick. “We are focusing on a two-site future and how that will work for hospitals in both South Muskoka and Huntsville, and together I know that we can get there.”
The options for Huntsville District Memorial Hospital include:
• Renovation-expansion: renovate to use part of the existing hospital, plus construct an addition, to create a three-storey hospital in phases for $197 million
• Replacement on current land: build a new three-storey hospital on-site before demolition of the existing hospital for $210 million
The options for South Muskoka Memorial Hospital include:
• Renovation-expansion: renovate to use part of the existing hospital, plus construct an addition, to create a four-storey hospital in phases for $187 million
• Replacement on current land: build a new four-storey hospital on-site before demolition of the existing hospital for $198 million
• Build new on new land: construct a new two-storey hospital on another unspecified piece of land, roughly 30 to 40 acres in size, in Bracebridge for $182 million