About Us

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

June 11, 2026

Letter to the Community: Growing Together for Patients, Students, and the Communities We Serve

To the residents of Orillia and surrounding communities,

Orillia stands at a defining moment in its history. We write to you today as leaders of two of Orillia’s anchor institutions, Lakehead University and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH), united by a shared vision and ready to shape an exciting future together.

Individually, the futures of our organizations are strong. Together, they present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the long-term health, growth, and success of Orillia and Simcoe County by bringing education, healthcare, research, and community life together in service of the region.

Lakehead and OSMH are moving forward with major redevelopment initiatives to meet the needs of a rapidly growing region. OSMH has received provincial approval to proceed with planning for a new, state-of-the-art hospital, supported by a planning grant received last spring. At the same time, Lakehead is expanding its presence in Orillia through a new $45-million academic building, strengthening its role as a hub for education, research, and community engagement.

What makes this moment truly exceptional is the opportunity to grow together—strengthening both our organizations while creating lasting benefits for the communities we serve.

What Does This Mean?

After a comprehensive site evaluation process led by a renowned engineering and architecture firm, and overseen by a task force that included community stakeholders, the Lakehead Orillia campus was chosen as the preferred location for the new hospital. The site was selected because it is easy to access, has sufficient land for future development, and fits well with the City’s long-term growth plans.

Co-locating a new hospital together with an expanded university campus also creates unique and exciting opportunities to meet peoples needs:

Modern and improved infrastructure to support increased patient volumes, capacity and programs
Expanded access to core healthcare programs and services including critical care services and inpatient beds
Shared resources and spaces that support learning, research, and community service
Enhanced pathways for local students to pursue well-paying careers in emerging healthcare fields
Stronger alignment with community needs, especially in addressing the region’s growing demand for healthcare professionals
More hands-on training opportunities, including placements and co-ops, for students

Bringing OSMH and Lakehead together is also a significant investment in Orillia’s economic future.

Today, OSMH supports approximately 1,600 jobs and generates an estimated $175 million for the local economy. Based on an economic impact study commissioned by the City of Orillia, the new hospital is anticipated to increase this economic contribution by 50%, exceeding $260 million in today’s dollar. Combined with Lakehead’s existing $355 million annual economic contribution to Orillia, this partnership will be a significant driver of economic development, and has the potential to create one of the region’s most important public-sector innovation and employment hubs.

This vision represents more than new buildings.

It’s a strategic investment—hundreds of millions of dollars in combined infrastructure over the next decade—in Orillia, creating jobs and spin-off economy throughout the life of these projects. The long-term integration of healthcare, education, research, and student life will help attract talent, stimulate investment, support local businesses, and strengthen Orillia’s economic resilience for decades to come.

By working together–municipal leaders, community members, the university, and the hospital–Orillia can seize this moment and take a bold step forward.

The future is bright for our patients, our students, and the communities we serve.

We invite you to learn more at our Community Information Session on Thursday, June 18 at Lakehead’s Orillia campus. Drop in between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to learn more about our shared vision.

Thank you for your continued support.

Lawre Pietras
Chair of the Board
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial HospitalTom Roberts
Interim President and CEO
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital

Cathy Tuckwell
Chair, Board of Governors
Lakehead UniversityDr. Gillian Siddall
President and Vice-Chancellor
Lakehead University

June 5, 2026

Deputy Premier/Minister of Health unveils Ontario Builds sign at preferred site of new OSMH as planning advances to next stage

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) is marking two significant milestones today in its progress toward building a new hospital with the installation of an Ontario Builds sign at the preferred site and confirmation from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ontario Health (OH) that the project has advanced to the next stage of capital planning.

“As a part of our $64 billion plan to get shovels in the ground for over 50 hospital projects across the province, our government is proud to support the development of a new, state-of-the-art Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, who was in attendance at the sign unveiling.

“Today’s announcement brings us closer to delivering enhanced patient capacity, world-class modern healthcare infrastructure, and expanded access to critical care services and inpatient beds, to meet the healthcare needs of Orillia and Simcoe County.”

The Ontario Builds sign, now installed along University Avenue, stands in front of a 25-acre parcel of land owned by Lakehead University that has been identified as the preferred location for the new hospital. The sign recognizes the Province of Ontario’s $3 million planning grant announced by Premier Doug Ford on May 23, 2025.

“The unveiling of the sign marks another exciting milestone in bringing this transformational project to life,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Simcoe North MPP.

“Following our government’s commitment to support planning for a new hospital, today’s announcement reflects the strong collaboration between OSMH, Lakehead University, and our community. This new hospital will help ensure families across Orillia and the surrounding region have access to modern, high-quality health care for generations to come. I am proud to continue working alongside our partners as we move this important project forward.”

In addition to the sign, OSMH announced it has received formal confirmation from the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health that the project has successfully advanced from Stage 1.2 (Proposal Development) to Stage 1.3 (Functional Program) within the province’s capital planning process. Advancement to Stage 1.3 represents a significant step forward and enables more detailed and advanced planning work, including the development of functional space requirements, project scope, and early design elements that will physically shape the new hospital.

“Reaching Stage 1.3 represents a major milestone in our redevelopment journey and reflects the strength of our planning work to date,” said Tom Roberts, OSMH Interim President and CEO. “With this approval, we move decisively into planning for a greenfield, new hospital co-located at the Lakehead University Orillia campus.”

The Chair of the OSMH Board of Directors, Lawrence Pietras said, “Today’s milestones reflect not only meaningful progress, but a shared commitment to the future of health care in our region. As a Board, we are focused on ensuring this new hospital is thoughtfully planned, financially responsible, and built to meet the needs of the communities we serve for decades to come. The support of our provincial and community partners gives us confidence that we are on the right path.”

The new hospital project remains in the planning phase, with ongoing collaboration involving the Province of Ontario, Lakehead University, healthcare partners, the City of Orillia, and the broader community.

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

Joint Community Information Session held at Lakehead University on June 18, 2026

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

Why is the hospital building on a new site vs. developing on-site?

For over 100 years, OSMH has expanded at our current 9-acre location. The existing site is landlocked and does not provide enough space to support growth in patient care and parking. On-site redevelopment options were thoroughly assessed as part of our Stage 1.2 submission to the Ministry of Health in 2019. The analysis concluded that building a new hospital, on a new site, is the most patient-centred option, provides the greatest continuity of care during construction, is the fastest project delivery model and has the lowest total cost. In contrast to our existing 9-acres, 25-acres of land is needed for the new hospital.

How was the Lakehead site selected?

In 2023, OSMH invited landowners with 25 acres of usable land in Orillia to participate in the site selection process. All submissions received by the hospital, that met the criteria, when through a technical assessment overseen by a Task Force comprised of representatives from Patient and Family Advisory Council, Indigenous Health Circle, Accessibility Advisory Committee, Community Engagement Committee, a hospital volunteer and an individual selected by the City of Orillia with experience in planning. The assessment was completed by external architects and engineers with comprehensive experience in hospital redevelopment and site evaluation. Through this process, Lakehead was identified as the site for the new hospital. It is important to note that no land options in the downtown area were submitted for consideration as part of the site selection process.

Will a new hospital, built at Lakehead, generate positive economic impact for Orillia?

Yes. OSMH is one of the largest employers and economic engines in Orillia and a new, larger hospital, will increase the economic benefits to the community. The City of Orillia completed an economic impact study of OSMH in 2020 and concluded that a new hospital on a new site, along with the repurposing of the existing site for non-acute care health service, would “result in a significant economic uplift for Orillia”. The report also stated that “the construction of a new hospital will generate substantial one-time economic benefits for Orillia”. When this report was presented to council in February 2020, city staff indicated that “as an institutional anchor in Orillia, an expanded hospital facility would clearly represent an important economic boost for Orillia and area” and that it would create “new, high-paying employment, stimulate land development and create additional spinoff and economic activity in the community and beyond”. Reference: Council gets glimpse into impact of potential relocation of OSMH – Orillia News

Does Lakehead University own the land at 500 University Avenue

Yes. The following was provided by Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor, Lakehead University, in a letter to Orillia Matters on July 10, 2026: Lakehead University owns the 85 acres of land at 500 University Ave. The lands were transferred to Lakehead in 2008 as part of the City of Orillia’s $10-million commitment to establish a university campus in Orillia and support its long-term growth. The land represented approximately half of that commitment; the remaining amount was paid in installments through the Orillia Power Corporation. Reference: LETTER: Lakehead lays out ‘important facts’ about campus plan – Orillia News

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.

How will OSMH manage in the current hospital until the new hospital is built?

OSMH will continue to deliver safe, uninterrupted care in the existing facility until the new hospital is operational. The Hospital Infrastructure Renewal Fund, or HIRF, is a source of provincial funding that older hospitals like OSMH regularly access on an annual basis, and we will continue to do so. It allows us to make much needed repairs to our physical infrastructure. In addition, where plausible, we will work to schedule replacement of major pieces of infrastructure (such as MRIs, CTs, etc.) to coincide with the move.

OSMH has identified the need for a new hospital for many years, and we have seen over that time team members’ proven innovation, ingenuity, and resilience in this respect. Team members have successfully navigated the challenges of the current building, and will continue to maintain infrastructure and deliver excellent care while simultaneously advancing and advocating for a full replacement hospital.

How will OSMH prepare to transition from the current site to the new site when open?

Transition planning is phased, evidence‑based, and hands‑on to ensure a safe, smooth move to the new hospital. OSMH will undertake a multi-year transition process within the overall 10-year redevelopment timeline, ensuring thorough preparation before opening. The early planning phase will include following best practices from recent redevelopments, including room mock-ups, simulations, and site tours to validate design and operations. As the project moves into detailed design there will be ongoing team member and community engagement to ensure readiness and adoption. When the project enters the construction phase a structured operational readiness and move planning process will start to coordinate equipment, workflows, and patient transfer as we approach door opening.