GRAVENHURST HEALTH HUB CONSTRUCTION MAY BEGIN IN JANUARY; WITH CCFHT APPLICATION FOR 10 NEW HEALTH CARE WORKERS GOING TO PROVINCE NEXT WEEK
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — Exciting news for the new Gravenhurst Health Hub.
As tenders go out this month for work that could begin in January, the Cottage Country Family Health Team is applying next week to the Ministry of Health for operational funding for 10 new positions. The province is expected to make a decision on the funding by April 2026.
It’s the first “milestone” for the grass roots community collaboration between the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst and the local Family Health Team, says a release.
Both boards have approved moving to tender for the first Phase of renovations to the vacant top floor at 5 Pineridge Gate in the office next to the town hall.
Tenants chould begin leasehold improvements in the spring with possibly summer occupation.
Organizers expect that by this time or well before next year some will be operational.
“Our community is facing a primary health care crisis and doing nothing is not an option,” said Rotarian Bruce Hemphill, chair of steering committee. “We’re coming together – with care providers, our community and government – to bring to life an innovative yet practical solution for all of Muskoka.”
Rotary president Tom Long adds: “I am immensely proud of what our Club and generous community donors have been able to achieve by working together. In combination with the town and district funding, we have now surpassed $950,000 in funds raised and are thrilled to be able to proceed with the first phase of the project.”
Both levels of government are behind the project with each providing $200,000.
The rest of the money committed has been by Rotary, $50,000, the FHT $100,000 and the rest in public donations toward the first of three phases.
Said Gravenhurst Mayor Heidi Lorenz: “It was a unanimous decision of our council to put our support behind this project to complete space that has been vacant for over 15 years. On behalf of council and staff, I want to congratulate the Rotary Club, the Family Health Team, and the community on reaching this important next milestone. It is heart-warming to see so many people supporting the health hub project. We look forward to seeing the renovation work begin.”
Dr. Tina Kappos, chair of the Cottage Country Family Health Team board, said: “We could not have done this without the leadership from the Rotary Club. This is a huge step forward to providing space for new providers and new programs and services to make primary care available to all of residents in Gravenhurst and South Muskoka.”
The steering committee is aiming to begin construction in January following a competitive tender process. Construction is also being supported by in-kind building materials donations from Chamberlain Timbermart.
“Our family business has been a part of this community for 74 years and we are happy to be supporting this amazing project,” said Doug Chamberlain.
Three phases begin January 2026
According to the group, Gravenhurst and area is severely under-resourced in primary health care providers and allied health professionals. The claim more than 6,000 residents — almost half of the Gravenhurst population — do not have a local family physician or nurse practitioner, leaving them without essential care and having to travel long distances or utilize the hospital emergency department.
The goal is to create a convenient healthcare home in South Muskoka for all residents that will provide expanded access to a full continuum of health and social services in one multi-service, multi-function space. The project aims to renovate and complete over 12,000 square feet of space located on the second floor of the Cottage Country Family Health Team in Gravenhurst.
The project is set out in three phases:
The first phase, at an estimated cost of $750,000, will complete the bathrooms, floors, ceilings, walls, electrical and plumbing for the space to make it ready for leasehold improvements by spring 2026.
They say the new space could accommodate enough primary care providers and inter-professional team members — including, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, mental health workers to provide care to all residents. It also aspires to introduce new programs such as a visiting specialist program, diagnostic imaging, after hours care and possibly a new primary care teaching clinic.
The steering committee with five subcommittees and 60 community volunteers has been spearheading this project, hosting fundraising events and raising awareness.
Cottage Country Family Health Team has an online wait list for residents seeking a provider at www.ccfht.ca. You can also sign up to the provincial Health Care Connect site to get on a provincial doctor wait list at www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect
For more information go to www.gravenhursthealthhub.ca. And for more information about Cottage Country Family Health Team or the proposed services contact Trish Mintz, executive director at tmintz@ccfht.ca
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