The new Windsor Essex Acute Care Hospital received a $15 million donation for paediatric equipment at the new facility.
The Solcz Family Foundation announced the largest single gift ever made to the hospital at a news conference Monday afternoon with Premier Doug Ford in attendance.
'Windsor needs a new hospital and we're happy to be a part of it, especially the areas we're supporting affect children, youth, and families which is the forefront of our foundation," said Kyrsten Solcz, executive director of the foundation.
The funds will go toward purchasing equipment for the family birthing and paediatric care centre and a dedicated emergency zone.
"You need to have new space that you can totally segregate the children from the adults," said David Musyj, project lead of the new hospital. "To really have a specialized area for paediatric care. If a child has to come to the emergency department they have a specialized area that they can be with children with pediatricians along with emergency room physicians."
While current plans indicate there could be shovels in the ground for the new hospital by 2026, Premier Ford hinted during the news conference he'd like to see that expedited.
"We're on track for the construction contract to be awarded in 2026...that seems a little long, 2026," said Ford. "That's the target but we are going to do better. I'm sure we will, we'll go as quickly as possible."
Musyj is confident Ford will stick to his word.
"There's been a lot of talk with respect to moving this sooner rather than later. We just have to go through some procurement processes and then get this thing going. Expect to hear some exciting news shortly with respect to this getting going," said Musyj.
The project is expected to take four to five years to complete once shovels are in the ground and will cost more than $2 billion.
