Campbellford gets new hospital
Premier Doug Ford in Campbellford Wednesday to announce a new hospital for the region. Image courtesy of the Ont. Government.
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM, Local Journalism Initiative.
The province of Ontario will invest $2.5 million into the early planning for a new hospital in Campbellford.
Premier Doug Ford and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Paccini announced the new funding to replace the current 38-bed, 71 year-old facility. This comes following last week’s provincial budget.
“Once completed, this state-of-the-art facility will replace the current outdated hospital. And will better serve the growing community of Northumberland County.” Ford stated. “It’s the community that put this together, it’s the leadership of the hospital.”
Piccini, elected in 2018, made building a new hospital in Campbellford a commitment. He said during the announcement at the current hospital site Tuesday that the community really rallied behind this project through a letter and phone call campaign, putting added pressure on Queen’s Parks to get the facility built.
“You challenged me. And I know for many of you it's like ‘Dave just build the bloody hospital,” said Piccini.
Local farmer Jim Curle, donated a 48 acre parcel of land just west of Campbellford along county road 30 for the development of the new hospital.
A construction timeline was not announced, but the new hospital will feature 50 beds, a 128-bed long term care facility, improved technology and access to increased healthcare opportunities.
Community leaders see this as an attraction for healthcare professionals and potential incentives for people to consider Trent Hills a destination.
Hospital Board Chair Carrie Hayward said there is a lot of work ahead for the community before construction begins.
“Today marks the beginning of a new phase of hard work. This will be the largest and most expensive infrastructure project our community has ever undertaken. It’s going to take all hands-on-deck approach to see it to completion. We are up for that task as it takes on new meaning for us today,” Hayward said.
