January 28, 2026

MONEY IN HAND, HEALTH HUB READY TO BUILD WITHIN WEEKS WITH SUMMER 2026 COMPLETION

GRAVENHURST — It was another big step today toward this summer’s new Gravenhurst Health Hub to serve south Muskoka.

After fundraising $1 million, it’s now officially on to renovating the Cottage Family Health Team’s second floor into “purpose-built” medical offices “closer to home.”

With a goal to provide some “half the town” that’s lacking in primary care physician services — and an “if you build it they will come spirit” — organizers and donors launched the project itself this morning.

“Stay tuned” the next couple of weeks for the contractor’s name — and in coming months for future “exciting news” about who will occupy the 12,000 square feet, said Tom Long president of the Rotary Club that is spear-heading the project and its fundraising.

Work is to begin in two weeks, he said.

It’s official, the hammers will soon be swinging on a new Gravenhurst Health Hub as donors and organizers celebrated a major milestone this morning as they made a year-long dream come true. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

“We’re a happy group,” Rotarian Bruce Hemphill, the steering committee chair told more than 50 people in Gravenhurst’s town council chamber. “About what we’ve done so far — and what’s ahead.”

In just under a year Rotary and the CCFHT have teamed up “with an overwhelming response from the community,” he said.

“We can promise you that phases 1 and 2 will be completed in 2026 on time and on budget.”

Phase 3 details involving digital imaging have yet to be completely flushed out and costed.

“But we are actively working on that and hope to have more definitive news in the next several months.

“When we have finally finished this project in 2027, we will have a family health facility that will be the envy of many communities our size or much larger in our province. We will provide primary care for every citizen in community who wishes it.

“We will have a healthier, happier, more productive community that can be fully engaged with a primary care facility.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” reiterated Rotarian and fundraising chair Barb McCabe, who noted 60 volunteers on committees Canada-wide participated in almost 70 fundraising engagements and pleadings.

**A rendering shows the layout of the second floor of the Cottage Family Health Team’s second floor offices in Gravenhurst.**

Dr. Tina Kappos, chair of the CCFHT, called it a “collective community achievement” in “unlocking the momentum” while realizing the “full potential” of doubling the space for more offices.

She said “physical space matters” when recruiting physicians, nurse practicioners and affiliated and complimentary medical services.

Already they’ve been in serious talks with interested tenants.

But she said it’s up to the province to provide funding for new doctors long-term.

Recruitment initiatives are underway — district-wide — to promote Muskoka as place to practise medicine and with this expanded new facility as a one-stop shop option to sell them to work here.

Kappos said the goal is for six new full-time equivalent medical professionals who will eventually be able to meet primary care needs.

Mayor Heidi Lorenz called it “a really big deal.” And said the town has been “gob-smacked” by Rotary’s “relentless” pursuit.

“We wouldn’t be here without them. You folks are unstoppable.”

District chair Jeff Lehman, too, marvelled at the speed of the “legacy project.”

“It’s a remarkable day for Gravenhurst,” he said, which speaks to Rotary’s Four Way Test: ‘Will it be beneficial to all concerned?; Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?’

“Nobody can do a project like Rotary,” he said heaping more praise on the service club.

**Rotarians and donors welcomed the two-hour presentation with enthusiam as the new year brought good news for the project and patients in south Muskoka.**

No provincial funding yet, says Smith

MPP Graydon Smith, also, spoke highly of the project, its many proponents and the community receiving what it is widely seen as being in great need of heading in to the new year.

Smith said he texted Health Minister Sylvia Jones this morning to tell her he was attending the announcement and she passed along her best wishes.

However, Smith didn’t come baring a provincial contribution to the Health Hub.

Organizers have applied for that funding.

He said: “I know that there has been an application made to the Northern Ontario Community Fund for this project. And I am beating the bushes every day to make sure we see that contribution happen. Government is usually the tortoise in the tortoise and hair story. … But I have taken every opportunity to share the good news coming out of this project and if there is a project that deserves support it’s this one.”

Smith agreed with Lehman that government is about getting things built.

**MPP Graydon Smith brought greetings and well wishes, but no confirmation of a provincial yet for what he called a worthy project.**

In a Q&A CCFHT’s Dr. Keith Cross added that the group has also re-applied for funding through another larger provincial health initiative led by Dr. Jane Phillpot, a former federal health minister. CCFHT’s first foray failed, however the funding round continues to 2029.

And president Long and several speakers voiced positives about how the Gravenhurst project is being seen and widely recognized in provincial government circles as well as across Ontario by other communities who are following its amazing ascent in just a year.

“So there’s still lots of opportunity,” said Long.

See Rotary’s YouTube channel later Wednesday to watch announcement and see video tour by clicking on this link at https://www.youtube.com/@GravenhurstHealthHub

HEALTH HUB NOTES:

The Health Hub’s three phases include $1.2 for Phases 1&2 and $450,000 for Phase 3.
Construction to begin by mid-February and will take 4.5 months to complete.
Additional Rotary fundraising initiatives include April Norman Foster’s play “Doris and Ivy in the Home” at the Opera House; a Scotch tasting in May; golf tournament and Steve Rae Lightfoot concert in June; a Wenonah II boat cruise, dinner, auction and Steve Rae entertainment in August; and Lipsynch in October.
Dr. Tina Kappos and Rotary fundraising chair Barb McCabe seal the deal on the Health Hub by cutting and serving cake.