NOTHING NEW FROM MINISTRY OF HEALTH ON NEW HOSPITALS, AS MUSKOKANS AWAIT POSSIBLE GO-AHEAD FROM PROVINCE IN 2029
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — More than six months in waiting — and with the summer high hospital season and patients already crowding ERs — an updated release from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare has drawn keen interest.
Even as is add next to nothing on the controversial project dividing the District of Muskoka.
This also follows MAHC’s highly-anticipated submission to the Ministry of Health re: its position in line to receive funding for two multi-million new hospitals in Huntsville and in the south of Muskoka.
They said in a May 22 release that it “remains committed to keeping the community informed as we move forward with the Made-in-Muskoka Healthcare plan to transform healthcare locally.”
Late last year, MAHC submitted its Stage 1.3 Functional Program to the Ministry of Health.
“While we have not yet received formal approval, we are maintaining regular communication with Ontario Health, the Ministry of Health, and Infrastructure Ontario to support the review and approval process.”
Meanwhile MAHC is proceeding as most recently planned.
“We have had positive conversations, and we are moving forward with the purchase of land from the Town of Bracebridge” — located between the Bracebridge Agricultural Society grounds and the Wal-Mart both on Hwy. 11.
“We understand how important this redevelopment is for our communities,” said Cheryl Harrison, president and CEO. “This isn’t just a planning process — it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-imagine and rebuild health care for Muskoka.
“The project represents a nearly $1 billion investment (likely more) from the Province of Ontario and our local communities — an investment in high-quality, accessible health care for generations to come.”
“Our board is incredibly proud of the vision reflected in this plan,” said board of directors chair Dave Uffelmann.
“We’ve listened to our communities, our physicians, and our care teams. We’re focused on delivering the future of health care right here in Muskoka.”
As part of the provincial capital planning process, MAHC is following a multi-stage approach outlined by the Ministry of Health.
A visual overview of that process is included in this release and is being shared with our media partners to help illustrate the complexity and sequence of approvals required. For broader context on infrastructure planning timelines across Ontario, the most recent update from Infrastructure Ontario is also available in their June 2024 Market Update.
They claim MAHC is currently in the early planning stages, with construction anticipated to begin as early as 2029, pending all necessary government approvals.
To learn more about the Made-in-Muskoka Healthcare plan — including what’s proposed, why it matters, and how you can stay engaged — you can visit their microsite at www.madeinmuskokahealthcare.ca.
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