Province pledges $10M to plan and construct new Waterloo region hospital

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones has announced $10 million to plan and construct the new hospital in Waterloo region, which is expected to open in 2034.

Jones was in Kitchener on Thursday for the announcement.

It's in addition to $5 million previously announced to find a potential site for the hospital and support the early planning stages. 

In July 2024, it was announced the region's new hospital will go on lands owned by the University of Waterloo in the north end of Waterloo. The lands for the hospital are north of Columbia Street, south of Bearinger Road and east of Westmount Road. It will be located near the David Johnston Research and Technology Park.

WATCH | Here's how the new hospital will impact the future of care in Waterloo region:

Here's how the new hospital will impact the future of care in Waterloo region

12 months ago

Duration 1:49

The site of the new hospital for the region will be in Waterloo on land currently owned by the University of Waterloo. Mark Fam, president of St. Mary's General Hospital, and Ron Gagnon, president of Grand River Hospital, said the site was chosen following a 10-month property review process. They spoke to CBC K-W's Lauren Kuivenhoven about the future of St. Mary's Hospital once the new hospital opens in 2034.

Jones said the province is making "historic investments" into the health-care system and building a new hospital will make it faster and easier for people in Waterloo region to access care.

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris, who is also the Minister of Natural Resources, said the new hospital is needed in the region because it's one of the fastest growing communities in the province.

"This investment in a brand-new innovative hospital right here in Waterloo will expand access to emergency care, specialized services, and critical infrastructure for families across our region," Harris said in a release about the funding.

The new hospital will be run by the Waterloo Regional Health Network, which was formed in April following the merger of the former Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital, both in Kitchener. Those hospitals continue to operate.

The province says the next step for the hospital project is for the Ministry of Health to work with the Waterloo Regional Health Network to complete early planning, including determining bed numbers and square footage for the building.

Ron Gagnon, president and CEO of the Waterloo Regional Health Network, said in a release that the region "requires modern, innovative infrastructure to meet the increasing and evolving needs of the people we serve."