Rebuilding St. John's Rehab Hospital to rebuild people's lives
 |
People recovering from life-changing injuries and illnesses are one step closer to a facility designed to rebuild their lives.
On October 18, David Zimmer (M.P.P. - Willowdale), announced the provincial government's approval of the early construction phase that will lead to the redevelopment of St. John's Rehab Hospital.
"With this addition, St. John's Rehab will be in a position to serve the rehabilitation needs of residents of Willowdale and across Ontario for years to come," said Mr. Zimmer. "Our government is pleased to work with the hospital to begin making this redeveloped facility a reality."
St. John's Rehab Hospital's redevelopment project will bring all of its outpatient services under one roof: the 49,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Centre for Ambulatory Care. Incorporating dramatically expanded and improved multidisciplinary treatment space and a modern new therapy pool, this addition will allow the hospital to care for the more than 50,000 outpatient visits it sees each year.
The hospital will also renovate its inpatient wing to expand and enhance treatment space, spreading its 160 beds from four to five floors. New outdoor features will include more accessible parking and main entrances, and expanded therapy gardens - a key element in the whole-person approach to recovery.
The upcoming early phase includes reconstruction of the hospital's west parking lot, loading areas and site services. This phase is planned for November through to spring of 2009, paving the way for construction of the new ambulatory care centre beginning in 2009-2010. The new facility - estimated to open in 2011 - will enhance St. John's Rehab Hospital's ability to return people to active, productive lives in their homes, communities and places of work.
"Our first major renovation in 35 years will ensure we can continue to meet people's growing rehabilitation needs," says Malcolm Moffat, President and CEO of St. John's Rehab Hospital. "We thank David Zimmer, Minister David Caplan, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, our generous donors, our staff and our community for their commitment to rebuilding people's lives."
St. John's Rehab's redevelopment project has been in the planning stages since 2001, and the province announced its approval and investment in the expansion project in 2006. For more information about the redevelopment of St. John's Rehab Hospital, visit www.stjohnsrehab.com/redevelopment.