The first phase of the Gravenhurst Health Hub is expected to be completed by mid-July, according to project officials.
The project is a community-led initiative aimed at expanding access to local primary care, diagnostics, and wellness services by transforming the second floor of a two-storey building already owned by the Cottage Country Family Health Team.
Bruce Hemphill, chair of the Gravenhurst Health Hub board, said phase one of the three-phase project, which began at the end of January, is nearing completion, with walls, floors, ceilings, and doors currently being installed. He added leasehold improvements will follow, including wiring, wireless connectivity, and other finishing work.
“When completed, over 12,000 square feet of vacant space will accommodate new primary care providers, new programs, and new services. These providers will be able to provide care to the almost 6,000 residents of Gravenhurst who do not have a local primary care provider.”
According to Hemphill, once phase one is completed, the next step will be to reconfigure the first floor, where all practicing doctors and nurse practitioners will operate.
“All of the administrative staff that is currently on the first floor will move to the second floor, along with Dynacare and Paramed,” said Hemphill.
Hemphill said phase two is expected to continue until around October or November.
Following phase two, he said phase three is expected to run into late fall of this year and into winter of next year and will focus on attracting a provider that can offer diagnostic imaging services, including X-rays and related services.
“We need a company that has both the equipment and the license to operate it,” he said.
Hemphill said by the end of the project, the goal is to have all the practicing doctors and the nurse practitioners on the first floor, and everyone else will be up on the second floor.
He said once completed, the space will provide the additional capacity needed for five new doctors and two nurse practitioners, as well as other health-related services such as Dynacare, which offers blood testing services, and Paramed, which provides wound care.
Hemphill said fundraising efforts are ongoing and that approximately $1.2 million has been raised so far, including contributions from the Town, the District of Muskoka, the Rotary Club, and the Cottage Country Family Health Team.
If everything goes according to schedule, Hemphill said the building is expected to be fully operational by 2027.
