Lexi (L) and Tori Gruberbauer with the help of SMHF's Tony Sheard, turn the first piece of ground as the new hospital expansion gets underway at the ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday. Giving encouragement are (L-R) Manager of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital, Donna Chappelle; Bruce Power's Acting President and CEO, Kevin Kelly; Saugeen Memorial Hospital Chief of medical staff, Dr. Tara Somerville; GBHS Board of Directors Chair, Mark Ostland; Hospital Auxiliary President, Ann Veyvara Divinski; SMHF Chair, Jonna Ebel; Maystar General Contractors Inc. Vice President of Construction, Wayne Garrett; Salter Pilon Associate Architect, Ryan Stitt and President and CEO of GBHS, Lance Thurston.

Hub Staff

Monday, May 16 is the day construction is set to begin on the $10 million Saugeen Memorial Hospital expansion. The start date was announced on Thursday, May 5 at a groundbreaking ceremony with dozens in attendance including hospital staff, Auxiliary and Foundation members, Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS) directors, local dignitaries and service group members, construction and architectural firms.

“Quality health care right here,” said GBHS President and CEO, Lance Thurston as he opened the afternoon's proceedings. “That's the mission of Grey Bruce Health Services and that's why we're here today on this wonderful afternoon.”

Thurston said the emergency department will be expanded by a total 10,000 square feet, going right out to the street line, and will include a separate emergency department waiting room.

“We will have a dedicated triage area, 11 treatment rooms, considerably more than we have now, a specialized decontamination room to treat any patient impacted by hazardous materials and an expanded staff work area,” Thurston said, adding that the lab will also double in size.

Thurston said the multi million dollar project, which will take two years to complete, was a major investment in the Saugeen Shores community as well as health care in Grey-Bruce and assured everyone that while construction is underway, service will continue as usual.

“Today is the end of the beginning of this project,” said Thurston. "This is the stage where we go from paper, planning, development and we're actually now going to get our hands dirty and begin the reality of constructing a wonderful new facility to add to an existing wonderful facility.”

Photo: SMHF Executive Director, Sally Kidson with Lexi Gruberbauer (L), who will turn four on Monday and five year old sister Tori at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Tony Sheard, Chair of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Campaign said it was “a very daunting challenge” at the start of the fundraising. “I had every confidence that the people of Saugeen Shores would rise to that challenge and I'm delighted that we have now reached this major milestone."

Sheard thanked everyone who had donated to the campaign including the largest donor, Bruce Power, who donated $500,000 toward the expansion as well as $500,000 for the new Cancer Centre at the Owen Sound Regional Hospital.

“Our town is made up of numerous small businesses, service clubs, and individuals who have all given very generously to this campaign,” said Sheard.

Acting President and CEO of Bruce Power, Kevin Kelly said that reaching today's milestone was a significant one of which everyone should be proud. “I know how valuable this hospital is to the local community,” he said. “I know how proud we are as Bruce Power to contribute to this amazing project and I know how valuable the extension and the new lab and all the facilities in there will be.”

Chief of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital medical staff, Dr. Tara Somerville said, “We love this little hospital. It's a great place, we do great work," she added, “We really look forward to this expansion however because our community is growing, the needs of the community are growing and it's going to really bring us into the new millennium.”

Lexi Gruberbauer, who is about to celebrate her fourth birthday on Monday, had the opportunity to ceremoniously make the first mark in the ground, along with her five year sister Tori, a prize for winning the SMHF's Christmas colouring contest.

(L-R) GBHS President and CEO, Lance Thurston, Saugeen Shores Mayor, Mike Smith, SMHF Campaign Chair, Tony Sheard, and Saugeen Memorial Hospital Chief of medical staff, Dr. Tara Somerville mingled before the ceremony got underway.

Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation board members and staff had shovels of all shapes and sizes ready at the groundbreaking ceremony, May 5.