VAUGHAN – Member of Provincial Parliament Greg Sorbara today announced that York Central Hospital (YCH) has received approval to begin Stage Two Planning for the building of the Vaughan Hospital.
“I am delighted to be able to confirm that the McGuinty Government has approved the next phase of planning for the Vaughan Hospital,” said Greg Sorbara. “Momentum for this project has been building steadily and, with the province, region, city and York Central Hospital working closely together, I know we will deliver the kind of first-class public hospital that our community deserves.”
In 2011, the Ontario government approved Vaughan’s Hospital which is to be planned, developed and operated by York Central Hospital. This project is scheduled to go to tender in 2014/2015.
Stage Two Planning will allow YCH to further define the size and scope of services at the new Vaughan Hospital, and identify bed numbers, service volume projections and technical parameters used by architects to develop and refine the architectural plan and prepare the tender documents.
The City of Vaughan acquired land at Major Mackenzie Drive and Jane Street for future hospital construction in 2009. The City of Vaughan and YCH are working closely together to plan the new hospital site.
“Through disciplined effort and cooperation, this important city building project is moving forward and progressing. In concert with the citizens of Vaughan we are focusing our energies on the ultimate goal of building a hospital in our city. With our partners we are confidently taking all the necessary steps required to bring our goal to fruition. Today’s announcement is an example of what ‘effective partnerships’ can deliver to the residents of our city,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.
York Region has committed $117 million towards the new Vaughan Hospital and has approved an advance of two-thirds of the estimated cost of the planning and design stages.
“York Region Council is pleased that the Vaughan Hospital is reaching another milestone towards becoming a reality,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “Regional Council recognizes the growing need for another facility that will serve the health care requirements of our residents. The Regional Municipality of York is committed to working with York Central Hospital, the Province of Ontario and the City of Vaughan to help move this important hospital capital expansion project forward.”
With the completion of the new hospital in Vaughan, YCH will operate a Health System containing two full service hospitals. The Hospital is currently engaged in a process of community consultation to develop a new brand and name for both the Vaughan Hospital and the Health System. The results will be unveiled in spring 2012.
“York Central Hospital is excited to receive such a timely approval to move to Stage Two of the planning process for our Major Regional Health System,” said YCH Board Member Lou Fortini. “Our thanks to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for this strong affirmation of their support for our new Major Regional Health System and more specifically for their support of a new hospital in Vaughan. We also want to express our sincere appreciation to our partners at the City of Vaughan and the Region of York for their support.”
“With the new hospital in Vaughan on the Province of Ontario’s project schedule, the approval to move to Stage Two will allow us the continued momentum we need to fulfill our vision of a Major Regional Health System and keep us on schedule to issue tender documents in 2014/2015,” stated Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO of York Central Hospital. “We appreciate the tremendous support of our community and will be continuing with a comprehensive community engagement plan to ensure that the people of Southwest York Region have a wide variety of opportunities to participate in the planning of our Major Regional Health System.”
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High-level timeline of key milestones in the journey toward an expanded York Region health system with the building of a new hospital in Vaughan:
- 2007 - Local Health Integration Network receives Business Plan Grant in support of a future hospital in Vaughan
- 2009 - Stage One Planning Grant to York Central Hospital; August 2009 – City acquired lands to facilitate the development of a hospital in Vaughan
- 2011 - Approval for New Hospital in Vaughan including confirmation of approval to begin the tender process in 2014/2015
- 2011/2012 - Approval to enter Stage Two Planning for new Hospital in Vaughan