New Hospital

We’re advancing healthcare in our community with a new Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. With your help, we will ensure our new hospital is ready to best serve the future needs of patients, families and our community.

Latest Project News

May 23, 2025 – Lakehead University Chosen as Preferred Site for New Orillia Hospital

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) and Lakehead University have announced a partnership to explore the construction of a new hospital on the university’s campus located on University Avenue in Orillia. A parcel of land on the south side of the campus has been identified as the preferred location, pending government approval and further planning.

The selection process was comprehensive and community-focused, beginning in 2019 with a public survey with more than 1100 respondents identifying key priorities—Emergency Services Access, Vehicular Access, and Parking. In 2023, an open Expression of Interest invited local landowners to submit eligible properties. A Site Selection Task Force, with broad community representation, reviewed all viable options based on detailed evaluations by Stantec Architecture Inc. The final recommendation was endorsed by both OSMH and Lakehead University boards, resulting in a Letter of Intent to move forward with the preferred site.

This partnership has the potential to profoundly advance access to quality healthcare and education in the region. There is still plenty of due diligence required before the site can officially be confirmed, but it opens the door for more detailed analysis and planning between the hospital and the university. Both organizations are excited to further develop the possibilities of shared programs, infrastructure, education and talent development, propelling the success of both organizations and the community as a whole.

The initiative reflects a shared commitment to meeting the growing needs of the Orillia area and shaping a healthier, more innovative future.

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Building New Hospital in Orillia

New Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital will connect more people to quality care close to home

May 23, 2025
Premier’s Office

ORILLIA — As part of 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the Ontario government is beginning the process for the construction of a new Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. This new hospital will connect more families in Orillia and the surrounding communities to more convenient, high-quality care close to home.

“Our government’s nearly $60 billion plan to build and upgrade more than 50 hospitals is delivering on our commitment to provide the people of Ontario with high-quality health care close to home,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Today’s announcement is a major step toward delivering a new, state-of-the-art Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital that will be transformational for the people of Orillia and across Simcoe County.”

The government’s investment will support early planning for the redevelopment of Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital on a new site. Creating a larger, state-of-the-art facility will allow the hospital to expand programs and services, ensuring it can continue to meet the needs of the community for years to come.

“Our government is protecting Ontario’s health-care system and ensuring that more people in Orillia and the surrounding communities can connect to convenient care, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing to build a brand-new Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, we are making it faster and easier for more people and their families to access world-class care in their community, for generations to come.”

Once opened, the new hospital would include:

Modern and improved infrastructure to support increased patient volumes, capacity and programs
Expanded access to core programs and services including critical care services and inpatient beds
Increased capacity to meet the community’s future needs and allow more people to connect to care sooner
Enhanced infection prevention and control measures to ensure the health and safety of all patients.

As a next step, the Ministry of Health is working with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital to complete early planning for this project, including determining bed numbers and square footage. Once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded, a construction schedule will be confirmed.

“The province’s investment in a new hospital for Orillia is a game-changer for our community and the region,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North. “Not only will this hospital get families in Orillia and surrounding areas access to high-quality health care close to home, it will also strengthen our region’s medical education. The new hospital location will provide a dynamic environment where medical students can train, grow and thrive, right here in Central Ontario.”

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is expanding and modernizing Ontario’s hospitals, making it faster and easier for people of all ages to connect to the high-quality care they need, where and when they need it.

“In the face of continued economic uncertainty, our government remains unwavering in our commitment to making the necessary investments that help connect more people to the care they need,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “That’s why our investment towards a new Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is pivotal, as it will ensure that individuals and families in Orillia and across Simcoe are connected to a stronger and more resilient health-care system they can rely on.”

Supporting Infinite Possibilities

The Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation is thrilled to see the interest from our communities in supporting the future of healthcare and leaving their legacy toward a new hospital. To learn more about how we are supporting the current healthcare needs in our communities and investing in our future, please visit Infinite Possibilities – Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation

If you are interested in making a donation toward the New Hospital Fund click here (Donate – Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital Foundation)

Community Engagement

Is your community group or organization interested in learning more?

Please reach out to info@osmh.on.ca to arrange a presentation at your meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will this project cost?

This will be a generational investment that will serve the community and region for decades. At this point, an estimated cost for the overall project has not been determined. Estimated costing will be established later in the capital planning process/once we are approved for a Planning grant as we determine the size and scope of the new hospital. We expect the total cost will be significant and comparable to other similar sized hospital projects in Ontario. The Province of Ontario is in the early stages of exploring the benefits of standardization of hospital construction projects to help offset costs, and we are actively engaged in that concept.

How could services change with a new hospital?

Based on our growing population, we expect to add more patient beds and expand acute care, complex continuing care, and rehabilitation programs. The planning grant will enable us to determine what services we will need in the decades to come, the best locations to deliver these services in collaboration with our community partners and design service models that leverage leading practices, technology and other innovations.

This is about creating the future of care in Orillia and area and beyond to ensure that our patients have timely access to high-quality, compassionate excellent care close to home.

Will the funds allocated for the future hospital impact the operating budget for current hospital needs?

We are thrilled to see the interest from our communities in supporting the future of healthcare by designating gifts towards the future hospital. With a large scope of priorities and an estimated timeline of 10+ years, we want to ensure our growing communities have access to enhanced, high-quality healthcare close to home, right now. Support for the Infinite Possibilities Fund addresses the current critical needs of our hospital while advancing opportunities for a brighter future.