West Niagara is a step closer to having a new hospital.

Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff announced Monday the provincial government has approved up to $1.76 million in funding to allow for redevelopment of Grimsby's hospital to continue to Stage 2 of the province's five-stage hospital capital planning process.

Tony Joosse, co-chair of the Save and Rebuild West Lincoln Memorial Hospital resident group, called the announcement "the greatest Christmas present."

"It's been a challenge to get here," Joosse said.

Depending on the time it takes to complete detailed designs for the facility, Joosse said he's hoping to see shovels in the ground by fall 2021.

"Now, understand that that's still an aggressive schedule - that's the hope."

Hamilton Health Sciences chief medical officer Dr. Michael Stacey attributed the progress to ongoing community support for a new hospital.

"It is through the efforts and hard work of so many including provincial government and local leaders that this milestone has been reached," he said in a media release.

In the year to come, he said, hospital staff will work with external experts to develop detailed plans for services to be offered at the hospital, including inpatient rooms, an emergency department, maternal and newborn services, day surgery, endoscopy, diagnostic services and ambulatory services. The process will determine staffing levels, equipment, design and spatial requirements to provide those services - as well as the financial commitments from local communities.

Although the province covers 90 per cent of the cost of building the hospital, communities are required to pay for the hospital's contents, parking lots and a share of construction costs.

Joosse estimated the total price tag for municipalities at about $60 million.

"In my eyes the big step is getting the municipal commitment and the dollars behind them," he said. "The government's going to need to know the commitment from the three local municipalities (Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln) and the Region of Niagara before it's a project."

Grimsby regional Coun. Wayne Fertich said he joined other west Niagara regional representatives to ask Region staff to determine how much local funding will be required for the project, in comparison to contributions that were provided towards building the St. Catharines hospital that opened in 2013.

"There is a bit of a study going on right now," he said, adding he hopes to meet with Region finance staff early next year.

Joosse said the province has contributed significantly to keep hospital programs running for the interim. He said he is "extremely thankful" for Oosterhoff"s continued support, as well as for the support of provincial government leaders.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Oosterhoff said he has fought for redeveloping WLMH since he was elected in 2018, "and it is exciting to see these steps moving forward."

"Many patients and families across the province are receiving care in aging hospitals that no longer meet modern health-care standards without capacity to meet growing demands," he added.