Hospital helipad getting new (temporary) home

Roger Varley

It's possible that people using the skate park and pump park might have to duck a few times in the near future: the hospital helipad is going to be temporarily relocated to the Fields of Uxbridge.

In a presentation to Uxbridge council on Monday, Elena Pacheko, vice-president and COO of Oak Valley Health, said construction of the new hospital and long-term care facility on the grounds of the current hospital will require removal of the helipad for about three years. Eventually, she said, the pad will be situated on the roof of the new hospital building,

Pacheko said the helipad has to be moved because ORNGE helicopters would not be able to land safely amid all the construction. She said it was not feasible to move the helipad to another part of the site. She added that the hospital averages about two helicopter touchdowns a month.

The proposed location of the temporary helipad in the Fields of Uxbridge. From Proposed Uxbridge Hospital Development report, March 4, 2024

Pacheko said residents will see construction of the new hospital and LTC begin in the relatively near future, with two dates set for "shovels in the ground." The first, in November of this year, will be to prepare the site for the general construction work. For the actual construction of the hospital, Pacheko expects "shovels in the ground" in the summer of 2025.

As for the new hospital itself, Pacheko said it will cover 124,000 square feet, compared with the current hospital's 25,000 square feet. This will mean a significant increase in the number of in-patient beds. Currently at 20 beds, which can be squeezed up to 22, the new hospital will have 31 beds, which can be adapted to serve 49. An additional 50 beds will be available in the new LTC for long-term or complicated health recovery. She said 90 per cent of those beds will be in single rooms.

Additionally, the new facility will be safer and more comfortable. The current hospital has no sprinkler system or air conditioning. The new facility will have sprinklers throughout and a central air conditioning system.

Pacheko said a virtual town hall meeting for the community will be held on May 31 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., with herself and Jo-anne Marr, president and CEO, taking questions.