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It's official.
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare board members heard the outcry and the Capital Redevelopment Steering Committee made a recommendation to approve the submission of Stage 1.3 functional program documents to the Ministry of Health, which would add 10 beds to the new South Muskoka Hospital site in Bracebridge.
The board approved the committee's motion at its Oct. 10 monthly meeting.
But the question remains: Will municipalities foot the bill in local shares? When will residents and town officials have an answer to this?
“This whole thing’s up in the air. There’s no assurance on any of it. A lot of our focus around this table has been ‘what about the 10 beds?’ but the whole proposal still needs approval,” board chair Dave Uffelmann said during the meeting.
Who will fund this?
Financial consultants offered an unconfirmed estimate of up to $50 million for this proposal, which would include an increase to the local share of approximately $10 million, according to the MAHC board.
But residents will have to wait until January for solid figures and answers when the Local Share committee reconvenes.
“We’ve got lots of work still to do on our local share,” Cheryl Harrison, MAHC president said after the meeting.
Briefing notes from the meeting outline the main risks as operational costs, space limitations, and potential community backlash due to dissatisfaction over these costs being added to the local share.
It’s confirmed Almaguin will not support any increase in the local share.
See: ‘Not reasonable’ says Armour Mayor about added hospital costs
What are the next steps?
The board's plan will be presented to the District of Muskoka council on Oct. 21, including the approved 1.3 submission, followed by a Nov. 5 presentation to the Bracebridge council.
Harrison said this proposal will be brought to the province in mid-November for final submission. The Ministry of Health will then review the finalized findings from the Stage 1.3 proposal, including feedback from meetings, discussions, and public input.
The board’s next steps are to ensure open communication with stakeholders and for them to begin the design phase, pending ministry approval, according to the briefing review.
Three working groups are developing solutions related to transportation, bed capacity, and community planning, while a regional group is focusing on affordable accommodations for seniors to reduce hospital bed pressures.
Both the community planning and regional groups will now report to the Muskoka and Area Ontario Health Team.
Megan Hederson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Huntsville and Lake of Bays. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
