Exciting Progress on the New Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital
Community members got their first glimpse into the future of healthcare in Prince Edward County last night during the inaugural virtual update on the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH). Quinte Health leaders, project partners, and residents came together to explore key milestones, cutting-edge sustainability features, and what this state-of-the-art facility will mean for the community.
Building Momentum: Shovels in the Ground and Progress Underway
With construction well underway, Quinte Health CEO Stacey Daub opened the session by emphasizing the significance of this moment. “Innovation and sustainability are not luxuries of large urban centres—they are necessities for all communities, especially ours,” she explained. The new PECMH is setting a precedent as North America’s first mass timber hospital, a project that has already garnered international attention.
Trevor Stewart, Director of Redevelopment, provided a live update from the construction site—donning a hard hat and all. With a tall crane behind him, he shared that construction is progressing well with a newly erected tower crane, ongoing geothermal drilling, and building foundations underway. Over the next year, the community can look forward to seeing mass timber installation and the construction of a new helipad.
A Sustainable and Community-Driven Build
Sustainability was a major theme throughout the update, aligning with feedback received from the community during early consultations. The hospital will feature:
- Mass timber construction to reduce the carbon footprint
- Solar panels to help offset energy use
- Geothermal energy for efficient heating and cooling
- Green roofs and stormwater management to support biodiversity
- EV-ready parking spaces for a greener future
- Operable windows for a natural connection to the outdoors
HDR’s Jason Emery Groen, the project’s lead architect, explained that this hospital is designed not just for today but for the future, ensuring it remains climate-resilient, and net-zero carbon ready. Additionally, special attention has been paid to fire-resistant mass timber construction.
Keeping It Local: Community Investment Beyond Donations
The commitment to local involvement extends beyond financial contributions. In her comments, Stacey commended contractor Sullivan for prioritizing the hiring of local trades and businesses, with Prince Edward County-based companies and workers playing a direct role in its construction. A hospital built by the community, for the community!
Fundraising Update: Back the Build
The Back the Build campaign, led by the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF), continues to gain momentum. Shannon Coull, Executive Director of the Foundation, shared that the campaign has now surpassed $24 million of its $30 million goal. She encouraged the community to continue supporting the initiative, whether through donations, events, or spreading the word about this transformative project.
What’s Next? Future Updates and Community Engagement
The next virtual community update is scheduled for September 2025, with a focus on patient care and the healthcare teams who will bring this new facility to life. In the meantime, residents can stay informed through following both PECMHF and Quinte Health on social media channels where monthly progress updates will be shared.
As Stacey closed the meeting, she reflected on the collective effort that has made this project possible: “It truly takes a community to build a hospital. Whether through advocacy, donations, or direct involvement, every contribution matters. Now is the time to Back the Build.”
This project is a testament to our shared purpose of Creating Healthier Communities. Together. Achieving this milestone would not be possible without the dedication and collaboration of our partners—the Ministry of Health, Infrastructure Ontario, PEC Mayor and Council, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, the PECMH Auxiliary, the Prince Edward Family Health Team, and every single donor who has supported this place of healing. With shovels in the ground and progress in full swing, this new hospital is truly a community-built legacy that will serve generations to come.
Click here to watch the presentations from last night’s community update.
