SCOREBOARD Check out today's section for local house league results 8 PAGES Look inside for tips on heading back to the classrooms BACK TO SCHOOL 8 PAGES www.theIFP.ca Thursday, September 1, 2011 Halton Hills' award-winning newspaper serving Acton & Georgetown 56 Pages 50 Cents (+GST) Hospital project gets $2.6M boost from Province Minister lauds community's efforts access to high quality health care services much closer to home." Her funding announcement was followed by sustained applause and cheers Elation was the prevailing mood at from the crowd filling the Activity Room Georgetown Hospital Wednesday morning after Minister of Health and Long-Term at the hospital. `I wouldn't be here today if it weren't Care Deb Matthews announced the govfor this community coming together," said ernment would be contributing up to $2.6 Matthews. million-- substantially more than was Halton Healthcare Services wants to asked for-- towards the hospital's renovaspend $12.19 million on the Georgetown tion project. Hospital project. The provincial governThe money will go toward building a ment was being asked to new emergency departkick in $1.9 million and ment, adding a new specialthe Town of Halton Hills ized space for a CT scanner has agreed to provide $2.6 and upgrading Georgetown million through a levy on Hospital's diagnostic imagtaxpayers. ing department. The projMatthews said the up to ect will also benefit patients $2.6 million figure was calby adding up to 14,000 sq. culated by Ministry staff ft. and renovating up to after working through the 4,000 sq. ft. of existing hosproposal determining it pital space, significantly exwould be 35 per cent of the panding the emergency decost to expand the ER department resulting in more partment. treatment spaces, modernHEALTH MINISTER "This has to go out to izing and enlarging the diagDEB MATTHEWS tender...if it comes in less nostic imaging department that would be great," said which includes radiology and ultrasound, and room enhancements to Matthews. When making the announcement Matensure infection prevention and control as thews paid tribute to Mayor Rick Bonwell as privacy and security for patients, nette, "for bringing his council into an families and staff. understanding of how important this is for "I know how important this expansion the community (and) for rallying support is to the people in the Georgetown area from the municipal government to make a and I'm proud to see it move forward," major contribution to this." said Matthews. "For area residents, these See FUNDING, pg. 3 new upgrades will mean faster and better By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer REFINANCING? PURCHASING? Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Deb Matthews toured the Georgetown Hospital Emergency Department Wednesday morning with Dr. Don Trant, Medical Director Georgetown Family Practice Program, before announcing (at right) up to $2.6 million in provincial funding to build a new ER department at the hospital, add a new specialized space for a CT scanner and upgrade its diagnostic imaging department. Funds for the project are also being contributed by the Town of Halton Hills, Georgetown Hospital Foundation, Halton Healthcare Services and Georgetown Hospital Volunteer Association. The minister's announcement was met with applause and cheers. Photo by Lisa Tallyn SILHOUETTE® SHADINGS NOW HAVE UP TO 88% ULTRAVIOLET PROTECTION! PAINT · WALLPAPER · LIGHTING · HOME DECOR R GEORGETOWN MARKETPLACE MALL 905-877-4193 93 5 YR. FIXED CALL FOR DETAILS. 3.39% FSCO #10259 Division of 1490845 Ont. Ltd. BOB OB WOODS, Broker (905) 877-1490 360 Guelph St., Georgetown