Bluewater Health has purchased the former St. Patrick's High School land from the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.
The hospital bought the East St. property for $1.85-million but received a $545,000 credit for recent capital investments.
Bluewater Health President and CEO Mike Lapaine says they've been landlocked in terms of parking since moving to the Norman St. site in 2010.
"Our ownership of the site eases the property pressures around the perimeter of Bluewater Health and provides the potential for future growth and development. We are gratified we were able to complete this transaction for the benefit of the entire community," says Lapaine.
"We had many considerations to address during the transaction, since both parties serve the public's interests, such as allowing the track club's continued access to the facility at the south side of the property."
Lapaine says he doesn't anticipate the need for a helicopter pad. "The math on helicopters doesn't help us out a lot greater than a land ambulance. In other words, by the time a helicopter flies here, we take a patient out and move them back, there isn't a lot of time savings so that's not been a high priority for us."
St. Clair Catholic District School Board Associate Director Jim McKenzie says "the sale of this property to the hospital is the culmination of a long legislative process, which the school board is required to follow for the disposition of its assets."
The East St. school was closed June 30, 2014 and demolished earlier this year.
In September 2014, St. Patrick's was relocated to The Rapids Parkway after a $15-million renovation and expansion of the former St. Christopher High School.
