Every morning at the HUB Child & Family Centre, the sound of boots crunching gravel and the steady rhythm of machinery are more than just background noise — they’re the soundtrack to something exciting, unfolding just next door.

For the children at the HUB, the construction of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) has become a daily fascination. As they arrive each day, they’re greeted not just by their educators and friends, but by high-fives from the hospital construction workers, the sight of a towering crane, and the ever-changing landscape of the new hospital build. One little observer summed it up simply: it’s, “my new hospital.”

It was that quiet but joyful attention — that sense of ownership from across the fence — that inspired a unique moment of connection. Staff from the HUB, alongside representatives from Quinte Health, M. Sullivan & Son Ltd., and the PECMH Foundation, came together to celebrate the children's curiosity with a small event that sparked big smiles.

The children were presented with mini-hard hats and safety vests, courtesy of M. Sullivan & Son Ltd., helping them feel like honorary members of the PECMH build crew. A custom “I Spy” game, featuring elements from the construction site, turned their daily observations into an interactive adventure.

When asked what the hospital will look like once it’s finished, the answers came quickly: “Bright and big,” said one child. “Huge,” added another, while one more imagined something truly magical — “bigger with rainbows.”

Their imaginations extended beyond the exterior. When prompted to dream up a room just for kids inside the hospital, their vision was both heartwarming and vivid: a space filled with toys, stuffed animals, craft tables covered in stickers, paper, and crayons, a big TV, and shelves lined with books — a comforting place where kids could feel safe and happy.

They understand why hospitals matter: they’re places that help people when they’re hurt or sick. And they knew, instinctively, that this was something to be proud of. When given the chance to share a message for the construction workers, their words were loud and clear: “Good job.” “Thank you.” “We love the new hospital.”

From their window-side view, the children at the HUB have been watching more than a building go up; they’ve been witnessing their community come together. And while the hospital won’t open its doors for some time, it’s already left an imprint — not only on the landscape, but on the imaginations of the youngest neighbours next door.