Another $4.3 million from the province means the Cambridge Memorial Hospital redevelopment project is taking another step forward.
Kitchener Centre MPP John Milloy made the announcement at the hospital on Thursday morning.
"We will be making a further $4.3 million available to the hospital to help with its planning and development as it moves forward with this project."
Ten million dollars has already been spent on preparations for the improvements at Cambridge Memorial (CMH).
The additional funding is from the provincial government's infrastructure fund and will be used to continue planning for the $200-million redevelopment project.
Patrick Gaskin, CMH president and CEO, says "The net gain for the community is a modern facility, additional beds and services, a larger emergency department, obstetrics closer to the operating room, all new operating rooms, you look at the plans and it's exciting because it is transformative for the hospital."
With all the funding CMH will add 47 new beds and bring better local care and enhanced services for mental health patients.
Dr. Michael Lawrie, chief of staff at CMH, says "The doctors, staff and volunteers at Cambridge Memorial are very, very happy that we can offer a welcoming, exceptional care opportunity for any person that comes here for our services."
The community has been anticipating the start of the project for years, and there had been concerns provincial financial woes might mean further delays.
Cambridge MPP Rob Leone says "We're not in the business of putting the brakes on agreed to projects, I think that's one of the things we've been saying whether it's for light rail transit or whether it's for Cambridge Memorial Hospital."
The work on the detailed drawings will take another year and that's when the hospital hopes to have tenders go out.
Gaskin says "We're at the blueprint stage…and it's both a major renovation and a huge expansion."
Construction is expected to begin in late 2013 and it's expected to take approximately five years before all the work is done.
