Redevelopment

As our growing and aging population survives more life-changing conditions than ever before, St. John's Rehab will need to be there to rebuild these people's lives. But, today, our extraordinary team of health professionals is hampered by an acute shortage of space, outdated infrastructure and a growing need for advanced technology and equipment.

In 2011, all of this will change.

We've spent the better part of two years building for our future – rebuilding our hospital so that we can rebuild people's lives. During the first year, we improved our parking, loading dock and site services. And, in June 2010, 300 donors, staff, patients and supporters joined us to celebrate a tremendous moment for the hospital community – the beginning of the construction of the 49,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Centre for Ambulatory Care.

This modern, accessible facility – designed for the rehabilitation techniques of the 21st century – will bring all of our outpatient services under one roof. We'll have room for more cutting-edge equipment, and to treat more patients simultaneously, reducing wait times for treatment throughout Ontario. We will also develop new outdoor features, including a more accessible main entrance and therapy gardens – key elements in the whole-person approach to care and recovery. At the east end of our campus stands the shell of the nearly completed wing, which is scheduled to open this fall.

The project is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, as well as our generous community of donors who have supported the $15-million Rebuilding Lives campaign. The new wing is named for John Craig and Sally Horsfall Eaton in recognition of a visionary, $2-million donation.

What comes next?

We will keep building for our future. Renovations to our inpatient wing, which will expand and enhance treatment space and create a fifth inpatient unit, should be complete in the summer of 2012. We are also developing plans for our soon-to-be-vacant spaces to create possibilities for stronger teaching and research.