Where should new K-W hospital be built? Administrators say new survey will inform decision

As planning for a new hospital in Kitchener-Waterloo continues, the team behind the project is asking for public feedback about where the new facility should be located.

As planning for a new hospital in Kitchener-Waterloo continues, the team behind the project is asking for public feedback about where the new facility should be located.

Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, who are working together to develop the proposal for the new facility, have launched an online survey to hear from residents.

Some of the survey questions ask about the importance of travel time to the hospital, the amount of parking and proximity to public transit.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity – if not a once-in-two-generations opportunity for our community to have input on something that will impact the health and healthcare of people here and beyond for generations,” said Ron Gagnon, president and CEO of Grand River Hospital.

The hospitals are trying to figure out what’s most important to the community before they try to find a parcel of land.

Right now, the only parameter is the size. The site will need to be at least 50 acres, Gagnon says.

“There is a requirement with the Ministry of Health planning parameters to make sure you have the ability to double the size whatever it is you build over the course of its lifetime,” Gagnon said.