Reopening of Lakeridge Health Whitby Delayed - September 18, 2007
Lakeridge Health and Whitby Fire Services continue to work together to expedite the
Life Safety Review and Safe Reopening of LH Whitby
September 18, 2007
(Whitby, ON) In early July 2007, a fire at Lakeridge Health Whitby necessitated the evacuation and temporary closure of the facility. Initial estimates suggested that the building might be ready for re-occupancy in November 2007. However, given the likely need for additional building and fire code upgrades, re-occupancy of LH Whitby will be delayed.
“The safety and care of our patients and staff are always foremost in our minds,” said Brian Lemon, CEO, Lakeridge Health. “We are working with Whitby Fire Services to ensure that the building remains safe as we work to reopen the site.”
“Provincial legislation requires a review called a Life Safety Review of the building be conducted,” said Drew Armstrong, Assistant Fire Chief, Whitby Fire Services “The Review is necessary in light of updated fire codes since the construction of Lakeridge Health Whitby in 1968.”
An independent company has been contracted to undertake the Review and once complete Lakeridge Health is required to submit the report to Whitby Fire Services. Once Whitby Fire Services considers the recommendations, they will advise Lakeridge Health with the scope of work required.
“This will inevitably result in delay to our November target to reoccupy the Lakeridge Health Whitby site,” stated Brian Lemon. “As we do not yet know the full nature of the additional work that will be required and do not have the required funding agreements in place with the Ministry and Central East LHIN to cover the costs, we cannot determine a new target date for occupancy at this time. Unfortunately and despite the best efforts of our staff, it’s extremely unlikely that Lakeridge Health Whitby will reopen in 2007.”
In the meantime, Lakeridge Health will continue to operate patient care services and outpatient clinics out of Lakeridge Health Bowmanville, Lakeridge Health Oshawa and the patient care unit leased at Rouge Valley (Centenary).
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For further information, please contact:
Leigh Winn-Kruck Drew Armstrong
Lakeridge Health Whitby Fire Services
905-576-8711 ext. 4317 905-430-4300 ext. 4332
Additional information attached: