Demolition set to begin this month at old Fergus hospital
More than three years after Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus opened the doors to its new location, details have finally been released about the demolition of the old one.
Both hospitals share the same name.
The old building, at 235 Union St., has not been in use since August 2020.
While funding from the Ministry of Health ended in March 2023, the hospital continued to maintain the Union Street property while waiting for a final decision on its future.
On Monday, the hospital announced it had received approval from the Ontario Ministry of Health to begin demolition.
DEMOLITION PROCESS
Work to decommission the old hospital began in the spring.
The hospital said fencing will go up around the Union Street property within the next month, as teams begin the first steps in the demolition. That will include the removal of walls, electrical and mechanical items, along with hazardous materials like asbestos.
The demolition is expected to take several months.
WHY CAN’T THE OLD BUILDING BE SAVED?
The hospital said staff and board members worked with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health West to explore options for the Union Street building, but none of them were “viable.”
While it may still look good from the outside, the hospital cautions, there’s a “long list of underlying building issues.”
In order to keep the old hospital open, they would have needed to replace the sewage system, boilers, roof, and elevators. Asbestos abatement, and repairs to the electrical, HVAC, plumbing and foundation would also have been necessary.
In a media release, the hospital said it would have been costly “to meet current health care standards and codes.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE SITE
No news has been shared about what’s next for the Union Street location once demolition is complete.
In Monday’s release, the hospital said “the next logical step will be to sell the property and reinvest the proceeds into the future growth and development of Centre Wellington health care services and programs.”
They also said plans are in the works to commemorate the site of the former hospital.
NEW HOSPITAL
The new Groves Memorial Community Hospital, at 131 Frederick Campbell St., officially opened in August 2020.
The building is 50 per cent bigger than the original site, has modern upgrades, more in-patient beds, private washrooms, and additional staff to handle the demands of a growing community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ford pushes for 'more proactive' border action after Trudeau meets with premiers about Trump
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on the federal government to 'take a more proactive approach at the border' following a call Wednesday night between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and all 13 premiers to discuss U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's tariff threat.
Liberals table GST holiday legislation, putting $250 rebate on backburner
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised holiday consumer relief package has been split in half. After NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party was only ready to help pass the GST/HST holiday portion of the affordability announcement, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled legislation Wednesday that only seeks to enact that measure.
Missing hiker found alive after 50 days in northern B.C. wilderness
A missing hiker who spent 50 days alone in the frozen wilderness of northern British Columbia has been found alive.
Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Montreal's Mirabel airport after landing gear malfunction
No injuries were reported after a Boeing 737 was forced to divert to Mirabel airport after the aircraft experienced a technical issue with the landing gear.
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller could have as many as 100 victims, lawyer says
A Quebec judge is hearing arguments this week in a class-action lawsuit application against Montreal billionaire Robert Miller over allegations he paid minors for sex.
It's expensive to visit the Maldives. Now it's more expensive to leave, too
The Indian Ocean archipelago nation of the Maldives, known for its white sand beaches and coral reefs, has just increased the price it costs to leave.
Two Canadians arrested for failed murder plot in California
Two men who travelled from Canada to Monterey County have been arrested and accused of attempted murder after a triple-stabbing Sunday.
Northern lights forecast to fill the skies in Midwest U.S., some areas in Canada
The northern lights could be visible for residents in northern and upper Midwest states in the U.S. as early as Thursday, including some Canadian provinces.
Ontario to match GST holiday by removing provincial sales tax on some items
Ontario says it will match the federal government’s two-month GST holiday by removing provincial sales tax (PST) from items that are not currently covered by existing provincial rebates.