MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Fergus, ON… Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH) and the Township of Centre Wellington (TCW) have signed a memorandum of understanding to divide the old Groves Hospital trust lands and are now taking the next steps towards implementation.

In the GMCH and TCW memorandum of understanding (MOU) the TCW will assume ownership of the old Queen Street Medical building and current Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service building. GMCH will retain ownership of the old Groves Hospital land, including the parking lots. “Formalizing the legal title to the land will help both decide on future use,” remarks Gilles Madore, Board Chair, GMCH.

“Centre Wellington is pleased to have signed a MOU with Groves Memorial Community Hospital to formalize the legal land titles,” stated Mayor Kelly Linton. “While respecting Dr. Groves contributions to the community, the time is right for us to pursue the potential future community benefits of these lands.”

In 2022, Randy Pettapiece, MPP, Perth-Wellington will present the GMCH/TCW application to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, on behalf of Ted Arnott, MPP, Wellington-Halton Hills for a Private Bill to amend the Groves Act to formalize the transfers in ownership of the lands. Mr. Arnott is not permitted to present the application in his current role as Speaker of the House.

In accordance with legislative procedures, notice of the Private Bill application will be made over the next few weeks in the Ontario Gazette and local publication.

If you have any questions you are welcome to email the hospital’s Communications staff at: commsadmin@whca.ca.