Shovels in the ground - the new PECMH build begins!

bboyce • August 2, 2024

Shovels in the ground - the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital build begins!

August 1, 2024, Picton – A new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is officially becoming a reality! Today, project partners and dignitaries gathered to break ground on the new building.

“Quinte Health is filled with heartfelt gratitude as we celebrate this significant milestone, shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners, donors and members of our remarkable frontline team,” commented Stacey Daub, President and CEO, Quinte Health.

Daub expressed profound gratitude for the PECMH Foundation, PECMH Auxiliary, Prince Edward Family Health Team, and the Prince Edward County municipality, describing their unwavering partnership, dedication and support as “the cornerstone of this project”. She also praised the generosity of the community.

“To every donor across our community who has Backed the Build, your generosity and belief in this dream have brought us to this moment,” she added.

Daub extended a heartfelt thanks to Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith for his steadfast support, as well as to the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario for their investment and support.

“Each step forward has been fueled by the passion and dedication of countless individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes,” Daub added. “Together, with passion, purpose, and gratitude, we are forging ahead to break ground, with each foundation poured, and every piece of timber utilized standing as a testament to our collective commitment to enhancing local healthcare for today and for generations to come.”

The Quinte Health redevelopment team is busy behind the scenes finalizing schedules, reviewing shop drawings for major systems and developing site logistics and phasing plans. In September, the contractor, M. Sullivan & Son Limited, will begin mobilizing: setting up the site with fencing, site trailers, and other essential preparations. Working together, we will ensure that hospital operations continue uninterrupted.

New Hospital Groundbreaking Celebration and Project Update – October 1

Mark your calendars for October 1 from 4-8pm for the New PECMH Groundbreaking Celebration and Project Update. Quinte Health and PECMH Foundation are joining forces to host an informative and fun evening for donors, team members, partners and interested community members to learn more about the hospital build and to celebrate the groundbreaking. Stay tuned - location and other details to come in the weeks ahead!

Additional quotes:

“The day is finally here, and it marks a momentous milestone for Prince Edward County and our foundation as we break ground on our new hospital. We have much to celebrate! Our new hospital will allow our residents and visitors to continue to receive exceptional care close to home in a first-of-its-kind facility. We are tremendously grateful for the overwhelming support we have received for our Back the Build campaign, with over $22M in pledges and outright gifts received. These generous contributions demonstrate our community’s belief in the future of healthcare delivery in our County. As we continue this journey, we extend our gratitude to everyone who has Backed the Build, and who will join us as we raise the remaining funds for this campaign.” – Peggy Payne, Chairperson, PECMH Foundation

“Today, after years of advocacy and planning, we put our shovels in the ground together to build a state-of-the-art hospital for Prince Edward County. It’s a terrific moment for health care in our community. I’m grateful to Quinte Health for its leadership and the many Back the Build partners who rose to the challenge in support of this project. Our Minister of Health Sylvia Jones has recognized this steadfast determination, and our government has given its approval for construction. I’m very much looking forward to the grand opening.” - Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte

"Our community has waited for years to see work begin on a new hospital in Prince Edward County. Now that day is finally here, and we couldn’t be happier. County Council pledged the municipality's financial support for the Back the Build campaign several years ago, knowing just how much this new facility is a priority for our residents. We look forward to watching the new hospital rise and take shape over the next few years." – Steve Ferguson, Mayor, Prince Edward County

“Today is such a special day for everyone who lives, works and plays in Prince Edward County. Years in the making, a dream of a new hospital in our community is now reality. This has been nothing short of a long and arduous journey, but the hard work has officially paid off. This new hospital will help enhance and advance the delivery of care right here in the County. This project is a prime example of what can be accomplished when we work together at all levels. The Prince Edward Family Health Team is proud to be a partner in care and we join the entire community in celebrating this monumental achievement and occasion.” - Dr. Sarah LeBlanc, Board President, Prince Edward Family Health Team and PECMH Medical Lead, Quinte Health

“It is my honour to represent the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary today. Our volunteers have raised and pledged $2.1 million for vital equipment for our new hospital. This new hospital is essential for the health and wellbeing of all residents and visitors to our beautiful County. Thank you all for your hard work in making this happen.” - Susan Quaiff, PECMH Auxiliary President

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making historic investments in health care. The new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is another example of how we are investing in the health care needs of Ontario’s growing communities to deliver the highest standard of care for decades to come.” - Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

“Today’s groundbreaking event is a major step forward for the community as construction begins on the new state-of-the-art Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. I am proud of our government’s historic investments in the province's hospital infrastructure that will help ensure patients and families across Ontario have access to healthcare services when they need it most.” - Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure

“We are delighted to partner with Quinte Health, M. Sullivan & Son and the Ontario government on this long-awaited project that will bring increased healthcare capacity to the Prince Edward County community. The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is yet another example of how we can work together to deliver a leading-edge health care facility designed to meet current and future needs of local communities. As construction kicks off this summer, we look forward to seeing this project come to life.” - Michael Lindsay, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario

“It is incredibly important for Sullivan to be a part of transformative projects within communities such as Prince Edward County. We recognize that hospitals are the lifeblood of these communities, and we take great pride in our role.” – Rob Ball, President and CEO, M Sullivan & Son Ltd.

To learn more about how you can Back the Build and be part of our new hospital's history, visit www.pecmhf.ca.

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Community Spirit Shines as Bake Off Breaks Fundraising Record PICTON, September 24, 2025 – The sweet smell of success filled the air at the Picton Fair as the 16th annual Bake Off Challenge raised a record-breaking $18,700 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF). With more than 50 entries and enthusiastic bidding, the community once again proved that a passion for baking can translate into life-changing support for local health care. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a digital mammography machine, a critical tool for early breast cancer detection. Since 2007, the Prince Edward Agricultural Society, who host the Bake Off has raised over $64,500 for the hospital. This year’s event included a special one-time memorial apple pie category in honour of the late Deputy Fire Chief Jim Young, who was the inaugural Bake Off winner in 2007 with his unforgettable apple pie. A total of 26 apple pies were entered in his honour, raising an incredible $8,250 on their own. Jim’s parents, Colleen and Murray, and daughters, Dahnon and Kendyl, were present to celebrate his legacy. Entries were judged by Ken Menlove, a local lawyer; Jordan Smart with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Auxiliary Unit; Mike Roy, a community member; and Chris Malette, MP for Bay of Quinte. The auction produced plenty of highlights. Firefighter Autumn Benlap’s Caramel Apple Spice Cheesecake topped the apple pie category and sold to Dr. Sarah Waterston, and Elizabeth Lodge’s Lemon Cream Pie, named best overall pie, sold to Herman Prinzen. “The Bake Off is more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of community spirit and generosity,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This year’s proceeds will support the purchase of a new digital mammography machine for the new County hospital, and we are so grateful to every baker, bidder, and volunteer who made that possible.” “The Bake Off has become a highlight of the Picton Fair, and it’s inspiring to see how much it has grown,” said Susan Harrington, president of the Picton Fair Board. “The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us. Thank you to everyone who baked, bid, or volunteered to make this year such a success.” The Agricultural Society also expressed its gratitude to the many individuals and local businesses who made the event possible. “There’s something truly special about seeing friends, neighbours, and businesses come together over pies and cakes to support health care,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “This event proves that even the simplest of traditions can make a lasting impact on our community.” The Foundation is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Agricultural Society and looks forward to welcoming everyone back to next year’s Picton Fair. The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.