Medical clinic addition to be done by July this year
By Liz Dadson

Kincardine council

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Work continues inside the new Kincardine Community Medical Clinic addition

Councillor Kenneth Craig (L) talks with a worker inside the clinic addition

The former location of the pharmacy is to be renovated for other uses

 The west end of the basement is being fixed up as the new location of McKechnie Pharmacy

Renovation continues on a portion of the existing clinic beside the new addition

Kincardine council and members of the media, decked out in hardhats and work boots, had an opportunity to look inside the addition to the Kincardine Community Medical Clinic Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 20), with Brent Whiteley of Parkin Architects acting as tour guide.

The $2.6-million expansion (Phase 2 of the work at the clinic) is about half-way finished, with a completion date of July this year. Phase 1 saw the basement retrofitted and three doctors and staff moved there, to allow work on the addition (west of the clinic) and renovation of the section directly beside it in the existing building.

Phase 3 involves the renovation of the rest of existing building, including the pharmacy in the basement.

The new entrance is on the west side of the addition, said Whiteley, with a vestibule so people can enter through one set of doors before entering the doors to the actual building.

This opens on to a new waiting room and reception area, and then examination rooms and offices along the north and west sides of the addition, said Whiteley. Steel studs are being used, as well as steel doors which cut down on the noise. Washrooms and a cleaning room are in the centre of the addition.

Whiteley said the addition should be completed by April and the renovations in the westerly portion of the existing clinic should be done by July.

He said the contractor, Quinan Construction Limited of Orillia, faced some delays in the fall, but now that the building is up, the inside work is moving along well.

The east end of the basement (former location of McKechnie Pharmacy) is being renovated for a future Family Health Team, as well as medical archives, staff conference area and lunch room, and a larger washroom. And a waterproof membrane now covers the hallway floor.

The west end of the basement (formerly doctors' office) is the new location of the pharmacy, said Whiteley, with its own entrance and it's closer to the main doors of the clinic. It is the same size as the former pharmacy location, he said.

In his presentation later at the Kincardine council meeting, Whiteley said the total construction cost of the project is $2.351 million, with payments to date at $1.132 million. Consultant fees paid to date total $238,146, with a fixed rate of $250,000.

Cash allowances total $10,419 for inspection and testing of soils, water, etc. There was also a $30,000 change order for relocation of the parking gates and circulation of the modifications to the site.

Whiteley said once the entire medical clinic is completed (including renovation of the existing building), there will be 23 exam rooms and doctors' offices, an expanded waiting room, new entrance, reception area and administration area - all on the upper level. On the lower level, will be the new pharmacy, staff room and medical archives area.

He said the parking gates will be relocated to the north and west of the addition, meaning people will have to use them even to drop someone off at the clinic or pick up a prescription at the pharmacy.

Kincardine clerk Donna MacDougall (L) and deputy mayor Laura Haight get ready for the tour of the clinic addition

"So people will have to pay to get to the pharmacy?" asked deputy mayor Laura Haight. "Is Bruce (pharmacy owner) aware of this?"

Whiteley said Bruce McKechnie has been involved in the discussions with the hospital about parking. Motorists will get a ticket with a time on it when they enter the parking lot; if they are less than 15 minutes in the lot, they pay nothing. Otherwise, they pay the $3 parking fee.

Councillor Gordon Campbell asked if the front doors are far enough from the main doors at the entranceway.

Whiteley said the vestibule runs at a 90-degree angle to the inside doors so the wind is blocked off. The outside doors close before the inside doors open.

Councillor Ron Hewitt said the current access from the parking lot to the clinic entrance is poor.

To view floor plans of the medical clinic project click here

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Thursday, January 21, 2010