"Today is a very exciting and proud day as it marks an historical milestone for Ross Memorial," says Brenda DeKoker, Chair, Ross Memorial Hospital Board of Governors. "Today we begin to prepare to enter a second century of care for the residents in our communities and in this region."

"The time has truly come. Construction is already underway on Hospital grounds," explains Anthony Vines, President/CEO, Ross Memorial Hospital. "Our vision is now coming to life right before our very eyes."

Construction has begun and changes to parking, traffic patterns and entrances are as follows:

Effective Immediately:

• The parking area immediately north of the Hospital is now closed. All vehicles are being directed to park in the new north lot off of Angeline Street.
• The Henry Street entrance to the Hospital parking lot is no longer in use.

Effective April 24th:

• The current Kent Street/Admitting entrance will become the new Emergency Department entrance. The parking area at this entrance will be metered short-term parking only.
• The Angeline Street entrance will become the main entrance to the Hospital for all other purposes.
• The driveway entrance on Angeline Street, closest to Kent Street, will be closed. For those vehicles dropping someone off at the main Angeline Street entrance, enter from Kent Street. This driveway will be one way only, entering from Kent Street and exiting onto Angeline Street.
  

"As we expand, we do so based on tradition," says Anthony Vines. "The Hospital officially opened its doors in 1902 and since then, there have been several key expansions to Ross Memorial. Now, we are expanding to better meet the health care needs of the people of this region, closer to home."

On November 20, 1902, Ross Memorial Hospital first made history when it opened its doors for the first time. In the Hospital's history, key milestones have included the construction of a new maternity wing - the Victoria Wing - in 1931, which increased the Hospital's capacity to 60 beds. In December of 1960, a further addition opened, bringing the bed capacity to 139. In 1975, the completion of an $8.8 million expansion enlarged the Hospital to what it is today; and in 1997, a $4.5 million self-funded redevelopment included major reconstruction of the maternal/newborn unit, a new paediatrics unit and renovations to the intensive care unit and acute care nursing units.

Ross Memorial's current $49 million expansion project, expected to be completed in the summer of 2004, will increase its bed capacity from 156 beds to 218 and its square footage from 186,000 square feet to 305,000. This expansion will include:

• The doubling of the Emergency Department;
• A new inpatient Mental Health program and facilities;
• A new Complex Continuing Care wing that will accommodate Palliative Care
  and Rehabilitation;
• A new outpatient centre;
• More acute care inpatient beds;
• A new suite for the CT scanner.

All of this has been possible because of the support and contribution of so many people. "We have so many to thank," says Anthony Vines. "Our staff and physicians, whose participation in the development of this expansion from the very beginning has been a vital component in reaching this stage of the capital project; our Foundation, their Board and the Caring for Tomorrow campaign committee for their continued commitment and dedication; our Auxiliary for their generosity in time, services and financial support, including the lead gift of $750,000 towards the capital campaign; and community members for their support of this Hospital and the significant outpouring of local funds throughout the Caring for Tomorrow campaign, raising a total of $6.461 million towards the expansion, which has been an overwhelming show of exceptional generosity and community spirit. Not to mention, the outstanding financial support from the provincial government and the $7 million contribution from the City of Kawartha Lakes, which has certainly helped to move this project forward to today's event."

Historically, people have been an integral part of the growth and development of Ross Memorial. "The community, the Auxiliary, staff, physicians, everyone who has been and who still is a part of this Hospital has made Ross Memorial a special place," says Dr. Ron Sears, Chief of Medical Staff, Ross Memorial Hospital. "Ross Memorial is full of people, about people and for people."