The Ontario government has announced the start of construction work on the redevelopment of the Stevenson Memorial Hospital in New Tecumseth.

The $174-million project, which will be completed by 2028, will include new and expanded acute care areas, and the construction of a new, three-storey building that will more than double the size of the hospital and increase in inpatient bed capacity by 20 percent.

Pomerleau was awarded the contract to build the facility in January.

"This groundbreaking announcement is a monumental milestone that has been years in the making and will be remembered for years to come,” said Stevenson Memorial Hospital supervisor Carmine Stumpo. “Our new hospital expansion will transform Stevenson into a modern, state-of-the-art facility, enhancing the health-care services and space our growing community needs and deserves today and for future generations. We are thankful for all our partners, donors, staff and physicians, and local municipal and provincial governments, for their unwavering support."

Once the project is completed, the expansion will provide patients and families with nine new inpatient beds, a new emergency department that is triple the size of the current department, expanded diagnostic and surgical services, and a new birthing suite.

Stevenson Memorial Hospital is a fully accredited hospital that currently offers 38 inpatient beds and a wide range of outpatient services to the communities it serves, including Adjala-Tosorontio, Canadian Forces Base Borden, Essa, Innisfil and New Tecumseth.