Over 100 local dignitaries, supporters and guests were at the site of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital last week for a ceremonial turning of the sod. Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith were front and centre. So were the Mayor, County Councillors, staunch advocate Monica Alyea, former Foundation Chair Barb McConnell, and philanthropists Lanny and Catherine Huff.

The event marked a major milestone for Prince Edward County. The day was dedicated to the tireless work of those who pressed on despite, or perhaps because of, all the obstacles on the way.

No one who was around will ever forget former Mayor Leo Finnegan about 2010, leading the charge in the Boardrooms of Quinte Health and at Queen’s Park. He told the chairs and the Health Ministers and anyone else who would listen that this community required a 24-hour Emergency Room hospital with a critical mass of beds and services.

Courageous campaigning and fundraising efforts led to this day, for which the PECMH Foundation led by Shannon Coull and the 400 volunteers of the Auxiliary are to be commended with enormous gratitude. The Back the Build Campaign still needs to raise about $6 million for the community’s portion of the build
It will get there.

And finally, it was a great day for the aforementioned MPP Smith. No matter which side of the Ontario Legislature he was on, Todd Smith used his golden radio voice to provide 13 years of full throated support for a new hospital and with it health care that’s close to home.

The $100 million hospital will feature 23 in-patient beds; a 24/7 emergency department with more space for staff and patients; modern surgical suites to deliver care with the best technology available; dialysis treatments and diagnostic imaging; and outpatient care services, including minor surgical procedures such as endoscopies.

Minister Jones noted MPP Smith and the community’s consistent advocacy in seeing the nascent hospital through to the building phase.

“There are a lot of people that have stuck with this project from the start and made sure the Ontario Government and the Ministry of Health wouldn’t forget the County. I want say congratulations, well done, but you really have to stop asking me for stuff now,” Ms. Jones said to a laugh.

“Not going to happen!” MPP Smith shot back.

Infrastructure Ontario President Michael Lindsay noted that the bid from M. Sullivan & Son Construction, of Kingston, which won the build tender, was “the most competitive procurement for a hospital project in the province of Ontario in the last 10 years.”

Mr. Finnegan, 90, just stepped down from the PECMHF Board. He recalled all the community meetings filled with angst over the future of the current hospital and the delivery of front-of-the-line healthcare in Prince Edward County. 

“This day was a long time coming. It warms my heart to see it through.

“I said I’m not retiring until we break ground. Well, I retired from the Board officially a couple of weeks ago so, close enough. It’s a great day.”

Construction gets underway in earnest in September.