Brockville hospital acquires former school for future development

The former Commonwealth Public School in Brockville, Ont. (Brockville General Hospital/supplied)

The Brockville General Hospital says it has finalized an agreement with the Upper Canada District School Board to acquire a nearby building that was once a school.

The former Commonwealth Public School sits directly across Bartholomew Street from the hospital.

The hospital says the acquisition presented an opportunity for future expansion, being so close.

“This acquisition allows our teams to begin early planning for future redevelopment of our hospital site. Purchasing this large property immediately adjacent to the hospital is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will allow the Brockville General to effectively provide enhanced care services to our patients,” said James Eastwood, chair of the hospital’s board of directors, in a news release.

The school building has been used as a warming centre this winter. Hospital CEO Julie Caffin says Brockville General will be taking possession of the building once the warming centre has closed.

“We are grateful to the Upper Canada District School Board for recognizing the strategic importance of this location and for working collaboratively with us throughout this process,” she said.

The hospital did not immediately say what it plans to do with the building, promising future details “as they become available.”

Speaking on Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron, Caffin said the land could be used for parking or it could house more buildings.

“We know we have to grow by 30 per cent by 2030 and another 58 per cent by 2040, so there is need to have property. We’re pretty landlocked here,” she said. “Really having that property directly across from Bartholomew is the perfect opportunity to use that land for future redevelopment.”

She said some of the hospital’s current infrastructre dates back to the 1950s and is in need of upgrades. She said initial submissions have been made to the Ministry of Health.

“Once they approve that, then they would give us a planning grant and it would allow us to do all that work,” Caffin said.

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