Rebuilding West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH)
WLMH Delegation (left to right)
Bob Hofmann, Senior Project Management Leader
David Silvestro, Strategic Healthcare Communicator
Fred Lilley, President, West Lincoln Memorial Auxilliary
Joan Puddicombe, Member, WLMH Foundation Board
Janet deVries, Consultant, WLMH Foundation Capital Campaign
Catherine Duffin, Director Community Programs & Site Director WLMH
In turn, Bob and Catherine shared information about the development of the new hospital currently under construction with an expected completion date of Late Summer/Early Fall 2025.
In February 2025… “It looks like a hospital now.” Focus is on planning for the relocation of supplies & equipment to new facility; staff training & readiness planning; installation of HVAC, plumbing, cabinetry & flooring. Upcoming work includes completion of interior finishes; further development and programming of IT systems.
WLMH founded in 1942; Opened current facility in 1946
Facility (to be demolished) is aging and not meeting demands of ever increasing population in West Niagara or alignment with modern healthcare practices.
VISION of the NEW WLMH
The solution:
- Modern state-of-the-art facility
- A transformational investment in healthcare
Impact:
- Faster care; advanced tech; more services
- Built for today and the future
- Infrastructure Ontaro P3 - Design Build Finance model
Project Cost: $224 million and is on target with no cost overruns because of contractual arrangements
Key Feature & Design Highlights
The new facility will feature:
- 55 inpatient beds; 6 maternal/newborn suites; 8 bassinets
- Increase in operating rooms: 3 operating rooms and one procedure room
- Single-patient rooms will enhance patient care, experience and ability to meet infection control standards
- Increasing the hospital’s size by almost 80 per cent
- Enhanced accessibility with expanded parking for patients & staff
- Sustainable green design
All programs & services currently available will remain with gradual expansion of services
Representing the WLMH Auxiliary, Fred highlighted its legacy and impact since its founding in 1944. Community volunteers are the backbone & have continued to enable countless fundraisers to support the hospital over the years. The auxiliary gift shop opened in 1969 & coffee shop in 1972. Since 2010, total donations to the hospital = $2 million.
ADULT & STUDENT VOLUNTEERS are ALWAYS NEEDED!
Joan, an enthusiastic member of the WLMH Foundation Board of Directors, provided a detailed summary of the foundation’s substantial support for the hospital since it was established in 1981 based. With its MISSION “Investing in Life”, the Foundation has raised & contributed over $12 million in grants to WLMH since 1983.
The hospital administration puts forward an annual list of needs, which the Foundation uses to target its fundraising activities.
The Foundation will soon be announcing a new naming opportunity program. Stay tuned!
On the home page, you can watch a live webcam to follow the construction of the new WLMH as it is happening.
.png)
GRATULATIONS!
