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Parkin Architects presented a smaller, more reasonably-priced
addition for the Kincardine Community Medical Clinic, to Kincardine
council at a special meeting Monday night (Nov. 24); and it was
generally accepted.
The original proposal was 14,000 square feet of new space with a price
tag of $5 million. This time, the cost came in at $2.28-million for
5,550 square feet in the addition, and 5,600 square feet of renovated
space in the lower level of the existing building.
The addition will be built to the west, with a new entrance that
protects patients from the southwestern prevailing winds, said Lynne
Wilson Orr of Parkin Architects. With the expansion, the clinic will be
able to accommodate 12 doctors, she said, and since Kincardine will have
only nine doctors as of January, there will be plenty of flexibility
with the space. The waiting room will be at the south end of the
addition, with administration and medical records to the west.
"McKechnie Pharmacy will be located in the lower level of the existing
clinic where it was before," said Wilson Orr, "with access from the
outside so it does not block accommodation of a future Family Health
Team in the lower level." The pharmacy will be 1,700 square feet in
size, same as it was before.
Councillor Guy Anderson asked if the architects would be redesigning the
entrance, given the possibility of hospital expansion.
"Where's the hospital going?" asked councillor Kenneth Craig. "Nobody
really knows where the hospital is going," said Wilson Orr.
Councillor Marsha Leggett pointed to the plans and asked about the
section left for future rehabilitation. "We're fighting to get rehab
back," she said, referring to the loss of free physiotherapy at the
hospital. "Are we getting rehab in the medical clinic?"
"Not at this time," said Dr. Lisa Roth. "There's a moratorium on Family
Health Teams right now but if we were to bring in one, we'd like to have
the space for it. There is community interest in cardiac rehab, separate
from hospital rehab."
Walter Yewchyn, vice-president of corporate services with the South
Bruce Grey Health Centre board, said the options for the Kincardine
hospital include a new building south of the medical clinic or expanding
the existing hospital. Dr. Gary Gurbin noted that a local contractor
has presented some practical ideas for improving accessibility from the
clinic to the current hospital. He wanted the architects to check it
out. (next column)
13/01/2009 04:21 PM |
(continued)
"That's for future consideration," said mayor Larry Kraemer. "It
could be part of this project, depending on the cost," said Gurbin.
Another issue is relocating the administrative staff, currently working
out of a trailer on-site, into the lower level of the existing clinic
for the winter and while the addition is being built. "We want to do
this project with the least amount of disruption to staff and patients,"
said Kraemer.
"We will work with the contractor throughout the project to provide the
least amount of disruption," said Wilson Orr, "but there will be
disruptions. Otherwise, if you want it done after-hours or on weekends,
you're going to pay a premium price for it."
Roth said the lower floor of the existing clinic could be a temporary
site for the administration staff. "We're on board with this project,"
she said. "We're excited with it and we see the advantages of it."
McKechnie said the lower level is not the ideal location but he realizes
that cost is a factor. "I'm a very reasonable guy," he said. "We'll go
downstairs. It'll be good to be home." He noted the plans call for a
drive-thru window for the pharmacy. If that could be accommodated, it
would benefit his business because often the three 15-minute parking
spots set aside for the pharmacy were occupied by users of the clinic.
Anderson said a drive-thru window would require extensive work to the
area beside the clinic and could cost about $150,000. Councillor Ron
Hewitt suggested putting in six 15-minute parking spots for the pharmacy
instead.
Councillor Mike Leggett said the constant complaint about the clinic is
the entrance but it is still on the west side which is not an
improvement. "This is still a schematic plan," said Wilson Orr. "We
could bring the entrance in from the east side of the new waiting room."
As for the timeline, Brent Whiteley of Parkin Architects said the design
and development would be done by early next year and the project put to
tender with bids in by April, 2009. Construction could begin by late
spring with a completion date of February, 2010.
"Meanwhile, the lower level could be upgraded for use by administration
over the winter," said Hewitt.
Council approved the option as presented by Parkin Architects, in
principle, and directed them to finish the detailed design and tendering
process which will come to council for review. In addition, the
accessibility advisory committee is to be consulted during the design
phase to ensure the municipality's accessibility goals are considered.
Council also agreed to get quotes from contractors for fixing up the
lower level so administration staff can move there temporarily until the
addition is built. Those will be addressed at the Dec. 17 meeting. To
see the plans click
Parkin One,
Parkin
Two and
Parkin
Three
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