SMH receives stage 1 approval for redevelopment
Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) took the first step toward redeveloping its facilities on July 16.
The hospital in New Tecumseth announced that it had received formal approval from the Ontario Ministry of Health of its stage 1 submission for a redeveloped hospital, and has been approved to proceed to stage 2 of the process.
“The Ministry has completed its review of the hospital’s Stage 1: Proposal Submission for the project and finds the submission acceptable,” wrote Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “The hospital is now approved to proceed to Stage 2: Functional Program for the project.”
This is the first official approval that SMH has received from the ministry regarding the redevelopment project and is a significant milestone in the hospital’s journal to revitalize dated infrastructure.
“I am pleased with the announcement from the Ministry of Health regarding an approval on our Stage 1 proposal for redevelopment,” says Jody Levac, President and CEO, SMH. “We need to expand and revitalize to meet the growing needs of our community.”
The $167-million redevelopment project includes a revitalized Emergency Department that will double the square footage of the hospital to 161,000 square feet, and triple the amount of parking space. The hospital’s submission also calls for refreshed outpatient rooms, birthing suites and laboratory space.
The current facility has not undergone a redevelopment since it was built in 1964. The emergency department was designed to meet the needs of 7,000 visitors annually and currently serves close to 40,000 visitors a year. By 2031, the population SMH serves is expected to grow from its current 75,000 to 100,000, putting increased pressure on the hospital to manage its lack of space.
SMH is working towards submitting its formal Stage 2 proposal this fall and continues to work closely with Ontario Health and the Health Capital Investment Branch of the Ministry of Health.
“I thank Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health for recognizing the needs of our Hospital, and for the approval to move to the next stage,” said Levac. “I am excited to move forward on this important project and am optimistic that we will continue to be successful in bringing a revitalized hospital to this community.”