New Sydenham Campus power plant approved

Counc. Jeff Wesley was all smiles on Monday night.

The long-time Wallaceburg Councillor successfully moved the recommendations brought forward by staff to permit the construction of a new central power plant at Wallaceburg’s hospital.

Jeff Wesley

“Thanks to Lori Marshall, the leadership team and the new board they have in place for moving forward with this,” Wesley said.

“They gave us their word that they were going to do so and they have. It means a lot to myself and the entire community of Wallaceburg and North Kent. Thank you.”

It was Wesley’s final meeting on Monday night as a member of Chatham-Kent Council and a fitting report to have on the agenda for him to wrap-up his political career.

During his 25-plus years of working in the community, he has always been an advocate for the Sydenham District Hospital in Wallaceburg.

He is a former director and board chair for the Wallaceburg hospital and a former chairperson and member of the Save Our Sydenham Committee.

Council approved the site plan control application to permit the construction of a new central power plant at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s Wallaceburg location and execute the site plan agreement on Monday night.

Marshall, who provided a deputation on Monday night as well, said she was happy with the approval from Council.

“We have a new vision for the organization… ‘Together growing a healthier community’ and a new mission, which really reinforces and solidifies our commitment to two sites,” Marshall said during her presentation.

“We have seen increased patient satisfaction, increased staff satisfaction, we just achieved over 99% in accreditation standards and we have a balanced budget. We’re well on our way back to a healthy organization and one, I believe, this community can proud of.”

CKHA has secured $7,300,000 in funding for this project phase through the Ministry of Health.

The hospital has a series of projects planned over a number of years to substantially replace the current facility on the existing site, a plan that could span 10 to 20 years.

Construction is expected to begin in 2018 with the completion in the summer of 2019.

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