FERGUS – Fergus' long closed former hospital will start coming down this month.
A press release from the Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH) said the old hospital site at 235 Union St. in Fergus will enter its "final phase of demolition" starting on May 13.
Last year GMCH was given approval from the Ontario Ministry of Health to demolish the building and over the past several months some decommissioning work has occurred.
In the release, senior project manager Joe Grasso said the final phase of demolition will take a couple of months.
"This will include dismantling both by hand and using mechanical excavators," Grasso said in the release. "Demolition will begin outside the building footprint and work inward."
Grasso said efforts will be made to reduce noise and dust, the demolition will not impact the trees on the property and work will occur only within time allowed by bylaws.
Previously, the hospital corporation said an estimated $48 million rehabilitation cost would be too expensive which led to the decision to demolish the hospital which closed in 2020 as services moved to a newly built hospital at Wellington Place.
Angela Stanley, president and CEO of Groves hospital, said in the release discussion about the future of the property are ongoing but it is anticipated the property will be sold following demolition.
The sale of the property is subject to Ministry of Health approval.
Commemorative activities will take place after the demolition to mark the building site with information coming in the future.
