March 26, 2011/-KINGSTON, ON – Providence Care is celebrating news that the Ontario government has approved plans to build a new hospital, to replace the aging Mental Health Services and St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital facilities.

MPP for Kingston & the Islands John Gerretsen made the announcement this evening (Saturday) at the annual Providence Care Founders’ Dinner.

“Today is a great day for people in Kingston. We have fought for this brand new hospital. Our voices have been heard and the government is delivering a wonderful present on the 150th anniversary of this fabulous Kingston treasure,” said Gerretsen.

"This is wonderful, fantastic news," said Dale Kenney, Providence Care President and CEO. Many people have worked very hard to move our redevelopment project forward. The new Providence Care Hospital will provide an improved care environment for our patients and clients, a better work environment for our hospital staff, and allow us to continue to serve the community for many years to come."

Honorable John Gerretsen, MPP for Kingston and the Islands and Providence Care President and CEO Dale Kenney 

"The site of the new hospital will be very close to where Providence Care’s Mental Health Services is now located at King Street West, adjacent to Lake Ontario Park. Current plans are for the new hospital to include 270 inpatient beds, as well as numerous outpatient services. Providence Care will provide specialized mental health, rehabilitation, palliative care, specialized geriatrics and complex continuing care programs at the new facility.

Providence Care serves thousands of people from across southeastern Ontario each year," said Glen Wood, Chair, Providence Care Board of Directors. "The new hospital will help our organization meet the needs of patients, clients and their families, and to continue to live the Mission of providing enhanced quality of life to those we serve."

“Our community has shown immense support for Providence Care’s redevelopment project from the very beginning, through their generous support and donations to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation’s Together We Can campaign,” said Ian Wilson, campaign chair. “Donors will be happy to know that their financial gifts will now be put to use toward building Providence Care Hospital.”

About Providence Care
Providence Care is southeastern Ontario’s leading provider of specialized mental health care, physical medicine and rehabilitation, specialized geriatric services, complex continuing care, palliative care and long-term care. Affiliated with Queen's University in Kingston, and as a member of the Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario, Providence Care is a major centre for health education and research. Providence Care is sponsored by the Catholic Health Corporation of Ontario. In 2011, Providence Care is celebrating its 150th anniversary – over 150 years of “enhancing the quality of life” of those we serve.