Brantford city council has contributed another $2.7 million toward the redevelopment of a new hospital.
In March, the province announced the Brant Community Healthcare System had been granted permission to move to the first stage for the planning of a new hospital in the city.
The community is responsible for covering 10 per cent of the total cost of a redeveloped hospital. With the second phase of planning nearing completion, the Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation is in the midst of a massive campaign to raise that local money, estimated between $130 and $200 million.
“To meet this goal, it is expected that communities served by BCHS, which includes the City of Brantford, will be required to make significant contributions,” said a news release issued by the city.
At a recent meeting, Brantford council directed a portion of the city’s 2022 operating surplus, totaling $2,773,913, be allocated to the Hospital Redevelopment Reserve Fund.
This builds on the city’s initial contribution in December 2022 when the fund was established. The total amount contributed by the city to the reserve is more than $8.5 million.
“The establishment of this reserve fund shows the city’s steadfast commitment to investing in the redevelopment of a new hospital to ensure residents in our communities have access to modern, state-of-the-art hospital care,” said Mayor Kevin Davis.
“By regularly dedicating surplus funds to this reserve, we’re able to make a significant contribution to this important community project without an additional burden to taxpayers.
“It is this kind of forward financial planning that demonstrates to our provincial partners that the City of Brantford is committed to ensuring we are in a position to be ready to build when the time comes.”