"This is an important day in the history of the Hospital. Today, I believe I can truly speak for all of us, when I say we are elated," expresses Brenda DeKoker, Chair, Ross Memorial Hospital Board of Governors. "This was the last approval required from the Ministry and we are soon able to start construction. This is great news for the Hospital and the community."

"I am so pleased to see this next step come together," says local MPP, Chris Hodgson. "The competitive process has allowed the Ross to work with the contractor who could give them the most value for the money - ensuring that local fundraising efforts and the commitment of significant funding from the province, truly help us achieve our expansion goals."

Ross Memorial Hospital will now meet with R.E. Hein Construction this week to sign the construction contract. The construction process and work will begin within about the next two to three weeks. It is expected that construction will take approximately two and a half years, with completion expected in the summer of 2004.

"Our vision of an expanded, full service health care facility to enable us to fulfill our regional role will now develop before our very eyes," explains Anthony Vines, President and CEO, Ross Memorial Hospital.

Ross Memorial's $49 million expansion project will include the doubling in size of the emergency department; a new inpatient mental health program and facilities; a new complex continuing care wing that will also accommodate palliative care and rehabilitation; a new outpatient centre; more inpatient beds; and a new suite for the CT scanner.

"We are very appreciative of the support we have received throughout the process. The participation of so many, especially our staff and physicians, in the development of this expansion and their financial contributions has been a vital component in reaching this stage of this capital project," says Anthony Vines. "We have so many to thank. The ongoing and committed support we have received from Chris Hodgson, MPP Victoria-Haliburton, throughout this process has been significant in helping us move this project forward, as has been the outstanding financial support from the provincial government and the considerable contribution from the City of Kawartha Lakes. The continued commitment and dedication from our Foundation, the Foundation Board, and the Caring for Tomorrow campaign committee, as well as the outpouring of local support and funds from the community throughout the Caring for Tomorrow campaign, including the lead gift of $750,000 from our Auxiliary - raising a total of $6.461 million towards the expansion - has been an overwhelming show of exceptional generosity and community spirit."

"Ross Memorial's expansion is vitally important to the continued development and increase of health care services in this community and region," says Brenda DeKoker. "Ensuring that families have adequate and appropriate access to health care services is one of the most important things to me and, as a long-term resident of this community, I am proud that we have been able to work together to provide our families with an expanded Hospital and new services. As well, this expansion will have a very positive economic impact at the local level."

The economic benefits of Ross Memorial's expansion are very important to the community. This construction project will create a one-time local economic impact of about $27 million. Once the Hospital is built, the additional programs and services are expected to result in an ongoing local economic impact of more than $26 million per annum.

More specifically, the economic benefits of this expansion will provide approximately 100 new positions within the Hospital, and is expected to help attract new physicians and specialists, as well as prospective new residents and businesses to the area.

Some changes to the Hospital entrances will be necessary during the construction. For example, during the construction of the new Emergency Department and a new main entrance to the north of the Hospital, the current Angeline Street entrance will temporarily become the main entrance. Currently, the Angeline Street entrance is undergoing renovations to build a ramp for wheelchair accessibility. The Emergency entrance that exists now will no longer be accessible and all ambulances will be bringing patients into the Hospital through the former Kent Street Admitting entrance.

Upon completion, Ross Memorial Hospital's bed capacity will increase from 156 beds to 218.

As well, the Hospital will increase significantly in size from its current 186,000 square feet to 305,000 square feet. Additionally, there will be renovations to 20,000 square feet of the existing building.