A massive renovation project for Bluewater Health's cancer clinic is getting underway.
The Bluewater Health Foundation said the redevelopment will occur in five phases throughout 2024, with the first phase starting shortly.
Director of Surgery, Oncology and Maternal Infant Child Ray Meyer said they anticipate the space will open in early 2025.
According to Meyer, because the project is going through phases it will not impact patients who are or will be receiving treatment.
Meyer also said the project will be going out to tender, so contractors can bid on it later this month.
The Norman building opened nearly 15 years ago and Meyer said all of the areas are separate.
"Right now when patients come to the hospital there's multiple areas that they have to go to, one area for consultation, and another area for treatment and other areas where they might have to go to pharmacy/medications," he said.
Meyer added with the re-development there will be one point of entry for the patients.
He said that with the new space it will be more welcoming.
"We want them to come into a space that is more calming, more holistic versus a stark, clinical environment," Meyer said. "It will be nice, warm, wood tones and calming colours to put patients and families at ease as much as possible," he added.
Meyer believes this is an important project at Bluewater Health.
"This is something that we've been talking about over the past couple of years and we're excited to have it going forward. Having a great space for our patients and their families to receive care but also great space for our oncology team to provide care," he said.
Out of the $3.7 million cost, around $2 million has been raised.
The fundraising has come from proceeds from last year's gala, a portion from the Dream Home Lottery, and other community donations.
"We know how supportive our community is, and we are so grateful to all who have contributed to the cancer clinic's redevelopment thus far, including a very successful matching donation campaign late last year led by a generous donor," said Bluewater Health Foundation Executive Director Kathy Alexander.
The redevelopment will also coincide with growth within the oncology team.
"We have seen an increased need for cancer care among the growing Sarnia-Lambton community- and this expansion in cancer care capacity will facilitate serving more of our patients and families closer to home," said Chief of Staff at Bluewater Health Dr. Michel Haddad.
