HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL SUPPORTERS ‘REALLY, REALY WANT’ NEW HEALTH CENTRE, DONATE $53 MILLION IN FIRST YEAR FOR ‘RAISE MUSKOKA CAMPAIGN’ — WITH ‘OUR COTTAGE CARES’ DRIVE THIS SUMMER
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
“I tell you what I want
“What I really, really want ….”
Spice Girls, ‘Wannabe’
HUNTSVILLE — North Muskokans “really, really want” a new big new hospital here.
While south Muskokans remain embroiled in debate over the location and uses of MAHC’s controversial other site — both yet but a decade away — residents around Huntsville have rallied in large numbers, stepping up and pledging more than 150 per cent of its hospital foundation’s original $35 million Local Share commitment goal.
Sending the province a no doubt decisive message of their unequivocal financial support for advanced health care in their communities.
A year after launching its $70 million ‘Raise Muskoka Campaign’ goal, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation (HHF) said last week that more than $53 million has been fundraised to support the future Huntsville District Memorial Hospital.
That’s 76 per cent of that goal.
Money to be used for new equipment and technology when the doors open.
And they’re not done yet.
As part of Sunday’s announcement, the foundation launched ‘Our Cottage Cares,’ a new initiative inviting lakefront property owners to make a five-year commitment to support Raise Muskoka.
The new hospital will be named in honour of Bob Hutcheson, founder of Hutcheson Sand & Mixes in Huntsville.
The South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Foundation has also pledged to raise $35 million toward a Muskoka-wide goal of a total $225 million, which the province expects Muskoka to contribute as part of its cost to build both hospitals in Huntsville and Bracebridge. The SMHF hasn’t announced its own similar Raise the Roof announcement about contributions as it lines up their own major donors.
Katherine Craine, CEO of the HHF, told MuskokaTODAY.com in an interview Monday that the latest cost they have heard from the province to construct the combined hospitals is “just under $1 billion.”
But that number could easily change — and go up, if not down.
So both hospital foundations know the eventual cost of outfitting the two sites could still each be beyond their $35 million promissory pledges, said Craine.
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s planning application is still only at stage 1.3 with the Ministry of Health for more details around pricing and costs and programs.
“We know that we’re always going to need new equipment in our hospital. And we’re always going to need new technology and a lot is going to change between now and when they open. … That’s why we strive for more.”
She said the HHF presented the northern hospital with between $5 million and $6 million the past fiscal year ending April 1, which was for HDMH’s annual requests for equipment support. A big number, she said, driven in part by “essentially helping replace a lot of our diagnostic equipment in the hospital. And final payments for the new MRI.
“The last couple of years, it’s been the case, because we had the focus on imaging campaign. We had the extra drive to raise money for the MRI and the mammography. And x-ray sweeps, all of the other hospital needs to keep up to date.”
Craine wasn’t exactly sure what amount the foundation has left after that separate account disbursement. She said they are wrapping up numbers to be presented next week as part of an annual general meeting.
“All our audited statements are coming in now. I’d say we are in pretty good shape to continue supporting the hospital in our yearly needs. As well as saving for the future. So we have both of those targets in mind at all times.
“What is really great is we have some donors who want to support the hospital today. And then we have some donors who want to support the future hospital. And there are some donors who want to do both.”
Successful golf tournament Sunday
With final results of Sunday’s golf tournament still being tabulated this week — “we’re just reconciling all of that and some donations we got as well at the tournament” — the foundation had more big news to report.
They announced that a $17.5 million matching challenge, led by the Cockwell family and friends and family of Bob Hutcheson, has been fully matched by donors across the community, “unlocking $35 million for local healthcare.”
Those dollars are included in the $53 million raised.
The Cockwells are “in the community,” said Craine. “They own Limberlost Forest,” east of Huntsville and north of Hwy. 60.
And they are part of the Brookfield Corporation, a global asset management firm.
Prime Minister Mark Carney served was board chair of Brookfield Asset Management before stepping down and becoming prime minister. He still retains financial interests in it and Brookfield Corporation, though those investments are now held in a blind trust.
The matching challenge, announced in September 2025 to honour Hutcheson, helped inspire support from across the region and accelerate momentum for the campaign, she added.
Raise Muskoka historic fundraiser
“We launched Raise Muskoka with an ambitious goal and a belief that our community would rise to meet it,” said Tom Anselmi, campaign co-Chair. “To raise more than $53 million and to fully complete the matching challenge in just one year is extraordinary. This achievement reflects the generosity, confidence and commitment people have for the future of local healthcare.”
“It belongs to the child who donated their birthday money. It belongs to every family who made a gift, every volunteer, every business owner and every grateful patient. Together, we have created one of the most significant community fundraising moments in Muskoka’s history. To every person who contributed to this milestone, thank you.”
“It has been an incredible year, and I am so thrilled to see the outpouring of love and respect for the Hutcheson family,” added Mike Harrower, campaign co-Chair. “Every gift is helping build the future Huntsville hospital and we still have important work ahead. We invite you to join us and be part of this historic campaign.”
“I have always believed in the people of Muskoka, and this campaign is proof of what can happen when a community comes together behind something that matters,” Hutcheson the honourary co-chair said.
“I am grateful to the Cockwell family and to my family and friends who helped launch this campaign. While this milestone is worth celebrating, what excites me most is what it will mean for future generations.”
For more information about
Raise Muskoka Campaign,
Our Cottage Cares or donate,
visit HuntsvilleHospitalFoundation.ca
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