Collingwood is a true-blue port town, steeped in a rich history of ship-building, tourism, skiing, and agriculture – four industries that require a hell of a lot of collaboration and spirit to do right. More so, South Georgian Bay is a community of people who, when the chips are down, roll up their sleeves and get things done. Right in the heart of that community stands our hospital, a facility that has been the anchor of our health and well-being for decades. But as anyone who’s ever had to navigate its halls knows, that anchor is definitely showing its age.
Built largely in the 1950s, the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital was a testament to the foresight of a previous generation, but healthcare has evolved dramatically since its doors opened. The spaces are too small, the layout is too convoluted, and the building itself simply can’t keep pace with the needs of a rapidly growing region. Our neighbours in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview, and other parts of Grey and Bruce are seeing incredible population growth, and with that comes an even greater demand for accessible, local care. The message is clear: to continue providing quality health services, we can’t just renovate—we need to build something new from the ground up.
Enter the Collingwood Hospital Foundation, a group of dedicated folks leading a campaign that can only be described as a once-in-a-generation effort. They’re on a mission to raise over $100 million for a brand new hospital, set to be built on Poplar Sideroad. The final price tag and the local community’s exact share are still being finalized, but the scale is monumental. This isn’t just about the hospital; it’s about securing a legacy of health for our children and grandchildren.
“Just as the original building did back in the ’50s, when this building was created for the community, and people supported it,” says Sandra Taylor, the Foundation’s President and CEO. “This new hospital is a chance to leave a legacy for future generations.”
And our community is already stepping up in a powerful way. The campaign has already surpassed an incredible milestone, with over $73 million committed so far. This money isn’t just coming from a few big players, though those significant donations are immensely appreciated. It’s coming from every corner of the community, a testament to the grassroots spirit of our area.
What has been truly heartwarming, is learning about the stories that have already hugely impacted this campaign – the ones that speak to the soul of our community. Sandra shared with me that they’ve seen everything from families celebrating milestones like anniversaries, weddings, and the passing of loved ones with a donation – even local kids setting up lemonade stands to help out. That’s not a joke—the lemonade stands are the real deal. It’s an unbelievable display of community spirit and reminds us that every single dollar, every single act of kindness, adds up.
“This new hospital is a chance to leave a legacy for future generations. Just as the original building did back in the ’50s, when this building was created for the community, and people supported it.
The vision for the new hospital is just as inspiring as the fundraising efforts. The current facility’s tight quarters and limited space will be a thing of the past. The new building will feature 100% private rooms, a critical feature for infection prevention and patient privacy in a post-pandemic world. It will also boast significantly larger surgical and emergency departments, a huge relief for the incredible healthcare team we have at the hospital, and for anyone who has experienced the current facility’s less-than-spacious environment.
In addition to expanding capacity, the new hospital will introduce new services, bringing highly specialized care closer to home. Plans include a satellite chemotherapy unit and a state-of-the-art learning facility. This focus on education is a strategic move, as the hospital hopes to attract and train the next generation of healthcare professionals who will fall in love with our area and choose to stay.
What’s more, the new CGMH will be built for expansion, designed to accommodate additions according to the community’s needs as years pass and populations grow.
One of the pillars of the new hospital fundraising campaign is the Tree of Life (TOL) campaign, the Collingwood Hospital Foundation’s annual fundraising campaign that runs annually in November and December. Last year, TOL helped CGMH purchase two new mammography units in an effort to detect cancer earlier, closer to home. This year, the TOL campaign is supporting Tomorrow’s Hospital.
In a fully transparent move geared towards encouraging community discussion, the CMGH Foundation has also undertaken a podcast called ‘A Day Away’ which dives head first into topics centered around CGMH’s innovation, the collaborative spirit of the community, and the importance of rural medicine. The podcast has hosted a number of influential speakers, including Dr. Jesse Guscott, Rural Generalist and Medical Educator at CGMH; Dr. Michael Lisi, CGMH Chief of Staff; Dr. Greg Devet, Chief of Emergency Medicine; and more.
The Collingwood Hospital Foundation Campaign is a massive team effort. This is a chance for our community to lace up its boots and tackle the biggest challenge of all—the challenge of securing a healthier future for everyone, closer to home. $100 million might seem huge, but we can do it. And when we do, it’ll stand as a testament to the fact a great facility isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about the people who build it and the community that stands behind it.
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To learn more, to get involved, or to make a donation, visit: cgmhf.com/tomorrowshospital/
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Words by Nelson Phillips
Photos by Jess Crandlemire and Kimberly Vincent.
