The Pine Street site was selected as the most sustainable long-term option after careful consideration of technical analysis, cost, and community input. It provides more than 45 acres—exceeding the rough guideline for 40 acres—and comfortably accommodates the proposed hospital with capacity for future expansion. Technical assessments confirmed the site’s suitability for grading, access roads, utility connections, and environmental readiness without the need for major remediation. Pine Street was also the Town of Bracebridge’s preferred site, aligning with municipal planning and ensuring strong community partnership and accountability.

Renovating the existing site was deemed infeasible due to space limitations that prevent necessary expansions to meet modern healthcare standards and future growth. Additionally, renovations would take much longer (which has a cost impact), and significantly disrupt hospital operations, impacting patient care during construction. Building a new facility was found to be more cost-effective and better suited to meeting the community’s long-term healthcare needs.

The site selection process involved over 200 engagement sessions with stakeholders, including community members, government partners, emergency services, healthcare partners, and Indigenous communities. Input from approximately 250 experts—hospital staff, physicians, volunteers, and patient advocates—was also gathered. Sites were evaluated based on accessibility, environmental impact, municipal services, and growth potential, with expert consultation from Urban Strategies Inc. The Town of Bracebridge supported Pine Street as their preferred site, aligning with the town’s strategic vision and planning objectives.

Muskoka Beach Road was initially considered but ultimately rejected due to significant environmental constraints, including Provincially Significant Wetlands, which posed regulatory challenges. It was called the “preliminary preferred site” before the formal due diligence work had been done. The main access road would have been impacted by the provincially significant wetlands and required setbacks to avoid any environmental impact. 

Pine Street offers excellent accessibility near Highway 11, ensuring faster connectivity for emergency services. It avoids environmental challenges such as the provincially significant wetlands and required setbacks to avoid environmental impact, and supports community integration and future development within Bracebridge. 

The Pine Street location enhances patient care by providing a purpose-built facility designed to meet modern healthcare standards, with improved accessibility for patients, families, and emergency services. The new hospital will include expanded surgical services, critical care services, and advanced diagnostic capabilities, while supporting long-term growth and adaptability to the community’s needs for the next 50 years.

MAHC held 12 public engagement sessions and invited feedback from the community. This input was carefully reviewed and reflected in the final decision to move forward with the Pine Street site.

Community feedback validated existing criteria and directly shaped additional considerations, including:

• Accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians
• Proximity to Downtown Bracebridge
• Impact on environment and sensitive lands
• Protecting natural landscapes

These additions and refinements were integrated into the evaluation process to ensure the selected site reflects the values and priorities of the community.

Yes. At the public portion of the Board meeting, Stantec presented how the proposed hospital design fits comfortably on the site with room for future expansion. Any expansion would require only minimal additional development.

Other parcels of land surrounding the main site were also explored for potential future ancillary usages.  The Pine Street site has ample space for current and future needs. While not a priority, the acquisition of surrounding land to be made available for a future campus of care may be considered.

No. There are no plans to use the pit area as a landfill. The project’s design prioritizes patient and community safety, environmental integrity, and efficient use of the land.  There is a potential for a clean fill site as there is no other one in the Muskoka area.