The Gravenhurst Health Hub has reached its fundraising goal for the second phase of the project, which is expected to begin later this summer.
That is according to Project Chair Bruce Hemphill, who provided the update during a town hall held at the Gravenhurst Opera House on July 23.
He said the project has made progress on expenses and fundraising efforts for completed and upcoming phases, with phase one, which cost $750,000, expected to be completed by the end of July.
According to Hemphill, phase two is expected to begin after phase one is completed and continue through December or into early next year. He said approximately $450,000 has already been raised, meeting the fundraising goal for the second phase.
For phase three, he said the team is working on developing a detailed business case, which is expected to be completed by next month after discussion with stakeholders and donors.
“The business case is a little complicated because diagnostic imaging requires us to have a partner who not only has a license for diagnostic imaging, but is prepared to supply all the equipment,” he said.
According to Hemphill, work on the third phase is expected to begin early next year, with preliminary cost estimates ranging from $350,000 to $500,000. He added that final costs will be determined once architectural drawings are completed, and the project goes to tender.
Hemphill said fundraising efforts for the final phase are ongoing, with any savings from the first two phases being directed toward the next stage. He added that fundraising initiatives are expected to generate an additional $125,000 by the end of the year.
So far, Hemphill said they have raised approximately $1.2 million for the project, including contributions from the Town, the District of Muskoka, the Rotary Club, and the Cottage Country Family Health Team.
Muskoka–Parry Sound MPP Graydon Smith, who attended the event, called the Health Hub a “special facility” for the people of Gravenhurst and Muskoka and said he will continue advocating for healthcare funding to support the project and others across the region.
“We have a very clear focus to get people attached over the next few years,” said Smith. “I’m so glad and so honoured that I had the opportunity to advocate for you as part of that conversation to make sure that this incredible new facility that will be here is full of practitioners, is full of those that will make a difference to individual lives and to the healthcare community at large.”
