Phase one of the Gravenhurst Health Hub project is scheduled to begin with a groundbreaking ceremony on January 28.
Bruce Hemphill, chair of the Gravenhurst Health Hub board, said this phase involves developing the floor to accommodate essential infrastructure such as washrooms, hallways, and finish flooring and ceilings.
“We think we should be finished the preliminary stage at about the end of February. Then there will be further leasehold improvements to make after we determine exactly who’s going to be there and how much space they need,” he said.
Hemphill said since the initiative started nine months ago, they have raised a little over one million dollars.
“Our original target for phases one and two was $1.2 million. We have raised just over a million now, so we have about $200,000 left to go,” said Hemphill.
He said that during the groundbreaking ceremony, the board will announce a series of fundraising events scheduled to begin in February to help reach their goal.
“We have a number of fundraising events on our schedule over the next eight months,” he said and added they hope to finish their fundraising efforts for phases one and two by July or August of this year.
According to Hemphill, in the third phase of the project, they are hoping to create a dedicated space within the facility to provide X-ray and ultrasound services to take the load off the Muskoka Hospital in Bracebridge.
“We don’t know exactly how that’s going to go, because we have to attract a partner who is already in the business and already has a license,” he said. “That may be still ongoing in 2026. We’ll have to wait and see.”
The health hub will be located on the second floor of a two-story building already owned by the Cottage Country Family Health Team.
The second floor features over 12,000 square feet of unfinished space, which Hemphill said is perfectly suited for new health programs and services.
Hemphill highlighted the primary mission of the health hub is to serve the 6,000 Gravenhurst residents currently without primary care, adding the region simply lacks an adequate number of doctors and nurse practitioners.
“We are trying to correct that problem. But we’re doing very well, and we will deliver the project, and we look to deliver it on time and in budget,” he said.
