Southlake begins search for land to build new hospital

Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket has launched a site selection process to find land for a new hospital to serve the growing communities in northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. The call for proposals, issued earlier today, comes as the hospital faces increased demand at its current Davis Drive location, which is operating at half the capacity needed by current standards.

For more than 100 years, Southlake has been a key healthcare provider in the region. However, with patient visits more than doubling since 2003, the facility is under strain. The new hospital will help alleviate pressure on the Davis Drive site and is part of a broader plan to transform Southlake into a multi-site healthcare system.

“We’re seeing a new patient arrive at our emergency department every four and a half minutes,” said Dr. Paul Woods, president and CEO of Southlake. “To continue meeting the needs of our growing community, it’s critical that we identify the right location for a new hospital. This open call will help us secure a site that can serve our region for the next 100 years.”

Landowners with at least 40 acres of developable land are invited to submit proposals. The process will be conducted in two stages, with the first stage requiring an electronic submission by Jan. 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. EST.

Mandatory criteria for Stage 1 submissions include:

• A minimum of 40 acres of developable land
• Proof of land ownership and agreement from all owners to proceed with the transaction
• Recent environmental assessments confirming there is no soil or groundwater contamination
• The land must not be within key natural heritage areas or other zones that would prevent hospital development
• The site must be outside the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine
• Serviceable with water, sewage, natural gas, electrical, and communications infrastructure within 5-7 years
• Located within 17 kilometers of Southlake’s current Davis Drive location
• Must accommodate a heliport and have no known archaeological or other barriers to development.

“We’re committed to identifying the best possible site for our patients,” said John Marshman, vice president of capital, facilities, and business development. “While building a new hospital typically takes 8-10 years in Ontario, this is an exciting first step toward shaping the future of healthcare in our community.”

Landowners can find more details and submit proposals electronically at Southlake’s Proposal Call Page.