FERGUS – With no remaining feasible options and funding coming to an end, the former Groves Hospital site on Union Street in Fergus will need to be demolished, says a Groves official.
An email from Alison Armstrong, Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH) spokesperson, says the corporation can no longer afford to pay to operate a building that is not in use and would be far too expensive to re-purpose.
“The building will need to come down. Work is underway to organize demolition and information will be shared with the community as these plans unfold,” Armstrong said.
It was Aug. 9, 2020, when the old Groves Hospital, now referred to as the Legacy Groves site, stopped operating as a hospital and services immediately switched over to the new hospital in Aboyne.
Since closing as a hospital, Armstrong said the site has been used as a COVID vaccination and assessment centre, a filming location and as a training spot for OPP.
The site remains owned by GMCH but as a health system asset governed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) which has been funding to operate it as options are explored. This funding stops on March 31.
Armstrong said GMCH has explored all possibilities with different agencies like the MOH, the Ontario Health West, the Ministry of Long-Term Care and municipal partners to continue the building’s use as a healthcare facility but nothing is financially viable.
“Everything from asbestos abatement to replacing boilers, elevators, HVAC systems, and an entire sewage system to a new roof, plumbing, and electrical is just a few of the long list of repairs, replacements, and renovations required to meet current standards and codes,” Armstrong said.
“The total cost to complete this work is approximately $48 million.”
The building will be secured until decommissioning work begins in the spring and once demolition takes place, Armstrong said the next logical step will be to sell the property and reinvest into health care services in Centre Wellington. Selling the land will also offset GMCH’s demolition costs.
If someone is interested in purchasing the land for anything other than health care purposes, the land will need to go through a rezoning process that would include citizen input.
“Dr. Groves intended to provide health care for the residents of Centre Wellington,” Armstrong said.
“His purpose has expanded with the growth of the new hospital, and his legacy continues as we offer high-quality healthcare services to our communities at the 131 Frederick Campbell Street site.”
