Construction is now underway to expand St. Francis Memorial Hospital’s (SFMH) emergency department and renovate its ambulatory care clinic, aiming to make it faster and easier for more people in Renfrew County and surrounding areas to access emergency and ambulatory care closer to home.
The province is investing over $18.6 million to support the largest redevelopment in St. Francis Memorial Hospital’s history. This major project includes renovating the hospital’s ambulatory care clinic and expanding its emergency department by adding approximately 6,000 square feet to the facility. The expanded emergency department will connect directly to the existing hospital and offer a dedicated, convenient entrance with a separate waiting room for patients and families.
“Our government is protecting Ontario’s health care system and ensuring that more people in Renfrew County can connect to convenient emergency care, where and when they need it most. By investing in a new and expanded St. Francis Memorial Hospital emergency department, we are making it faster and easier for more people and their families to access high-quality emergency and ambulatory care in their community, for years to come.”
Deputy Premier & Minister of Health | Sylvia Jones
Scope of Construction Work
The construction work required for this redevelopment includes a variety of specialized tasks across different trades:
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Site Preparation and Excavation: Clearing and grading the land to make way for the expanded building footprint.
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Structural Concrete Work: Foundations, footings, and slab work to support the new 6,000-square-foot expansion.
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Steel Framing and Erection: Structural steel installation for the emergency department addition.
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Masonry and Concrete Block Work: Interior and exterior wall construction, particularly for isolation rooms and trauma areas requiring reinforced protection.
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Mechanical Systems Installation: Upgrading and expanding HVAC systems, with negative air pressure systems installed in the isolation room.
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Electrical Systems Installation: New electrical wiring, backup systems, lighting installations, and specialized power setups for trauma and critical care areas.
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Plumbing Work: New piping systems for the trauma areas, ambulatory care clinic, isolation room, and staff support areas.
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Drywall and Finishing Trades: Interior wall framing, drywall installation, and painting across the new and renovated areas.
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Millwork and Specialty Installations: Installation of casework for patient care spaces, nurse stations, and mental health quiet rooms.
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Roofing and Building Envelope Work: Ensuring a weather-tight connection between the new and existing structures.
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Exterior Hardscaping: Walkways, ambulance bay entrances, and the patient drop-off areas.
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Medical Equipment Installation Support: Coordination with specialty contractors to install built-in medical systems.
Ontario Newsroom reports that this variety of work will provide numerous opportunities for skilled tradespeople, general laborers, equipment operators, and specialty contractors.
Features of the New Emergency Department
Once complete, the new state-of-the-art emergency department will accommodate an estimated 11,900 visits each year and will feature:
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A dedicated isolation room equipped with negative air pressure to prevent the spread of airborne infectious diseases.
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A new ambulance entrance, improving patient flow and emergency response times.
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Quiet room space designed for mental health patients and their families to provide privacy and comfort.
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An upgraded trauma area to ensure timely and efficient responses to critical emergencies.
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Improved infection prevention and control measures to create a safer environment for patients and staff.
Located in the village of Barry’s Bay, St. Francis Memorial Hospital is a 20-bed community hospital that serves approximately 10,000 people living in Renfrew County, South Algonquin Township in the District of Nipissing, and Algonquin Park. As the only emergency department between Pembroke and Huntsville, SFMH plays a crucial role in delivering emergency and ambulatory care services. Each year, the hospital handles more than 11,000 emergency department visits and over 6,000 ambulatory care visits.
The new expansion, adding roughly 6,000 square feet, is designed to support growing healthcare needs by modernizing facilities and creating a more efficient, comfortable setting for both emergency and outpatient care. This will help alleviate pressures on emergency services, reduce wait times, and enhance patient experiences for residents throughout the region.
There will also be a strong need for safety-compliant workers experienced with hospital construction standards, infection control requirements, and high-quality finishing work.
The Ontario government's commitment to funding this project is part of its broader plan to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system across the province, ensuring that families have access to high-quality care when and where they need it.
