Waterloo region’s new hospital receives government support

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, Ont. – Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) is one large step closer to building a modern, state-of-the-art hospital that will transform how acute care is delivered in Waterloo-Wellington, and beyond.

The provincial government included a $10 million planning grant for WRHN in the 2025-2026 Provincial Budget released last week. This investment supports the ongoing planning work for Waterloo Region’s new acute hospital and to redevelop healthcare infrastructure to meet growing service demand.

The announcement is in addition to the $5 million for planning granted by the Province in April 2022.

“We are extremely grateful to the Government of Ontario and our local MPPs for their ongoing support in bringing a new acute care hospital to the Region,” said Ron Gagnon (pictured), president and CEO, Waterloo Regional Health Network.

“WRHN is in one of the fastest-growing regions in the province, and we’re committed to getting this project done quickly to meet the current and emerging needs of the communities we serve. This is more than a hospital project. It’s a transformative investment in the region’s health, economy, and future as it shapes where and how patients access healthcare today and in the future.”

The new acute care facility, located on the University of Waterloo’s north campus, will bring an additional 400 acute care beds to the region, ensuring more patients have access to the care they need when they need it. When complete, WRHN will still have three hospital sites (Midtown, Chicopee, and University), with numerous outpatient locations, community clinics and services throughout Waterloo-Wellington.

“Each year, over 700,000 patients receive care at WRHN, and this number continues to grow. Our current facilities were not designed to support the current and increasing demand,” said Dr. Peter Potts, chief of staff, Waterloo Regional Health Network.