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The new headquarters for the Muskoka Parry Sound
Health Unit will be ready to open this May.
“There were some
construction delays in the late fall and early winter last
year,” explains John Challis, Communications officer with
the Health Unit, adding that “we are confident about the
May opening.”
Located in Gravenhurst,
at the Pineridge gate, (near the McDonald’s, and in the
shadow of the water tower) the new building will have over
24,000 square feet, almost tripling what was available in
their old location adjoining the District of Muskoka offices
in Bracebridge.
“This will allow us to
have clinical space for the immunization clinic and the
sexual health clinic for the first time,” explains
Challis, continuing, “It will also allow us room for food
safety courses and prenatal classes.” Other facilities
include a dental examination room, speech assessment and
hearing test rooms, 3 meeting rooms and a boardroom.
The additional space also
allows for expansion over the next 10 plus years, for up to
a staffing capacity of 80 people, and includes 1500 sq. feet
for the District’s Ontario Works program.
At present the Health
Unit is operating from temporary space at 50 Ball’s Drive
in Bracebridge, which they have occupied since mid-March.
That was when they had to vacate their former premises near
the District offices on Pine Street in Bracebridge, when
their lease expired. They had been in that building since
1971.
When the District of
Muskoka planned their own expansion the Health Unit’s
lease was not renewed, as the District needed their space.
This was an opportunity for the health unit to move into
much needed larger space. After deliberations on various
locations throughout Muskoka, the present Gravenhurst spot
was decided upon, purchased from the Town of Gravenhurst for
$1.00. The Garritano Bros. Ltd. company of Oshawa was
awarded the contract, with sod-turning taking place last
May.
The new location also
brings some high tech innovations, including high-speed
internet and fibre optics communications.
For more information
contact the Muskoka Parry Sound Health Unit at 705.645.4471,
or visit their website at
www.mpshu.on.ca
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