Waterloo's RIM Park could become COVID-19 field hospital
Deal for hospitals in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County
A new deal between Grand River Hospital and the City of Waterloo has secured RIM Park as a potential field hospital for hundreds of COVID-19 patients.
It's part of a regional strategy for hospitals, which also includes Cambridge Memorial Hospital, St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener, Guelph General Hospital, Wellington Health Care Alliance and St. Joseph's Health Centre Guelph.
If any of the hospitals need extra capacity for COVID-19 patients, the deal means they can use RIM Park as well as other non-traditional community spaces in the city such as hotels and university residences, according to Grand River Hospital.
"Reaching this important point in our planning has taken the collective energy and innovation of all hospitals, staff and physicians working alongside savvy community members volunteering their time and talent," Ron Gagnon, Grand River Hospital's president and CEO, said in a press release.
The sportsplex and healthy living centre at RIM Park could accommodate hundreds of additional beds and equipment for patients, according to the hospital.
All of the hospitals in the larger region would equip, staff and operate the facility.
Grand River Hospital says the hospitals will be prepared to use the "additional spaces when it is clear that the need for additional care will be greater than the capacity of our hospitals."