Shelburne Council to consider contribution to Stevenson Memorial Hospital in budget

July 16, 2026 · 0 Comments

Written By JOSHUA DRAKES

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Shelburne council will consider a $100,000 request for Stevenson Memorial Hospital’s redevelopment during its 2027 budget talks, following a project update at its July 13 meeting.

Representatives from the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation outlined plans for the new hospital in Alliston and asked council to consider funding a patient room, which could be named in the Town of Shelburne’s honour.

Retired physician and foundation volunteer Dr. Ted Vandevis said the redevelopment will expand the existing hospital with a modern facility on the current site.

“It’s going to include updated equipment, including an MRI,” he said. “There will be all private rooms and bathrooms for patients, a birthing suite, a raised helipad, and additional parking.”

A new wraparound building will be constructed on the grounds, making use of natural lighting, and will feature the elevated helipad and new and expanded green spaces.

The project has a total cost of $405 million, with the province funding approximately 90 per cent of the construction costs. The remaining local share, along with furniture, fixtures and medical equipment, must be raised through community fundraising.

The foundation has raised approximately $44.5 million toward its $80-million fundraising goal and is seeking support from residents, businesses, municipalities and community organizations throughout the hospital’s catchment area.

Vandevis said the current hospital was originally designed to accommodate about 7,000 emergency department visits annually, but now sees more than 40,000.

He said the redevelopment is intended to improve access to healthcare across the region while helping attract and retain doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Stevenson Memorial serves a broad catchment area that includes Shelburne residents, many of whom rely on the hospital because of its proximity and connections to employment in the Alliston area, Vandevis noted.

He added that the goal is not to leave the project for later generations to manage; he wants it done promptly.

“The campaign has been running for seven years,” Vandevis said. “I don’t want to mortgage this hospital on our kids. Our great-grandparents, our grandparents, and our parents built the first two iterations of Stevenson. It’s our turn to build this one.”

Council voted to receive the presentation and refer the funding request to next year’s budget deliberations. Members also indicated the town could help promote the hospital’s fundraising campaign through its communication channels.