Construction of the new Runnymede Healthcare Centre is set to begin at the end of October or in the first week of November.
"We have a builder," confirmed President and Chief Executive Officer Connie Dejak. "It's exciting. In two year's time, we'll be sitting in a new hospital."
The health centre, along with Infrastructure Ontario, has selected Bondfield Construction Company Ltd. to build and finance the long-awaited new facility on the existing site at Runnymede and St. John's Roads. The City of Toronto issued a building permit two weeks ago.
The health care centre is in the midst of preparing its staff for a complete change of scope, Dejak said.
"We're moving from a 1908 school building to a modern facility with all the amenities," she said, adding that the hospital will be doubling in staff. "It's a huge boost to the community."
The biggest change will be space. The number of beds will increase from 95 to 200 while there will be enhanced clinical and medical services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, communication and swallowing therapy, audiology services, respiratory therapy, customized dietary programs, recreational therapy and social services.�"We're going to have a dining facility, a chapel and an indoor courtyard," Dejak told The Villager. "We have very high patient acuity. They're very vulnerable. They require a lot of support and care."
The new hospital will also increase residents' independence.
"It'll be a barrier-free building," Dejak added.
Runnymede Healthcare Centre is home to people living with Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, strokes and ALS.
"We have a dedicated staff who take pride in their job," said Dejak. "They overcompensate for the old building. They look at the residents as family. You have to be pretty special to work at Runnymede. I want to make sure we build on that."
Dejak anticipates tears of joy when the shovel goes into the ground this fall. "Illness doesn't discriminate," Dejak said. "We have a very special population who require the services we provide. We're their voice and now it's been heard. It's a good time to be here. We're moving forward. We're preparing for the future."