“Today (Thursday, August 1, 2024) is indeed an exciting day, as we celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.” Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones
Well over 100 people gathered on Thursday afternoon for a day that has been more than a decade in the making.
An official sod-turning ceremony was held for the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital which will be constructed directly behind the current site in Picton.
The project, which will cost more than $100 million, has been in the works for many years and has also been the vision and dream for thousands in Prince Edward County.
Included are
- 23 in-patient beds
- A larger, 24/7 Emergency Department that will provide more space for staff and patients
- Modern surgical suites to deliver care with the best technology available
- Dialysis treatments and diagnostic imaging
- Outpatient care services including minor surgical procedures such as endoscopies
Quinte Health’s Stacey Daub hosted the sod-turning.
“This ground breaking is not just the start of construction, it is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and the collective effort of an entire community.”
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Quinte Health’s President Stacey Daub at the sod-turning for Prince Edward Memorial Hospital (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Daub says the fundraising effort, the volunteering, the patience, and the advocacy surrounding the project was incredible.
On hand for the celebration were members of Prince Edward County Council and staff, members of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, PEMCH Auxiliary, supporters of Back the Build, President of Infrastructure Ontario Michael Lindsay, MPP Todd Smith and more.
The special guest for the announcement was Ontario’s Minister of Health Sylvia Jones.
“Once opened, this new state of the art facility will connect families in the region to the care they need, now and for decades to come with modern surgical suites to deliver care with the best available technology. A larger 24/7 emergency department providing more space for staff and patients. And outpatient care services, including minor surgical procedures. Thank you again to all the hospital and health care workers in Prince Edward County, and across the Bay of Quinte, and everyone who has come together to make today possible.”
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Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones in Picton (Photo: Tim Durkin/Quinte News)
MPP Todd Smith credited the community group POOCH (Patrons of Our County Hospital), supporters of Back the Build, staff and volunteers at the hospital, community groups, charities, service clubs, churches and individual donors who put forward $22 million. A total of $30 million will need to be raised by the community.
M. Sullivan and Son Limited of Kingston won the tender.
President of Infrastructure Ontario Michael Lindsay says it was a competitive process.
“It may or may not surprise you to know that this was the most competitive procurement for a hospital project in the province of Ontario in the last 10 years.”
Construction is expected to begin next month and will continue into 2027.
You can listen to all the speakers from Thursday’s sod-turning ceremony below
Political figures, stakeholders, donors, and supporters of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital at the sod-turning ceremony on Thursday August 1, 2024 (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
