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stoufiville suntribune thursday june 16 2005 21 i i jf- it h h i f complex would be first of its kind in north america by joan ransberry staff writer a markhambased plan to combine two hospitals a health and wellness centre arid a recreation community centre including a library could be a north american first a plan which focuses on the emerging markham stouffville hospital campus will go under public scrutiny later this month if the project gets the final goahead the central east community centre the well ness centre and the new toronto grace hospital will be built on 60 acres south east of the current hospital in the church street and 9th line area a walkway will link the three facilities residents can review the plans at st andrews united church 32 main st june 29 from 6 to 8 pm officials hope construc tion will begin in 2008 said christine joe markham stouffville hospitals director of planning and partner- ships its unique ms joe said were the first in north america to bring hospital services and community recreation arid a library all together on one campus the 120000squarefoot multipurpose community centre plari calls for an indoor pool a library pro gram meeting rooms a gym nasium and a fitness centre staff is recommending two ice pads originally in the plari not be built the large iridoor ice facilities would be difficult to locate within the plari it would add significantly to the parking demand and would have operational impacts that are not well- suited to the overall con cept said the towns com missioner of community and fire services jim sales instead the twin ice pad arena would be at a pro posed southeast community centre in markharh mr sales said the proposed 150000 squarefoot health and well ness building is to include such clinical services as day surgeries asthma arid dia betes- clinics outpatient rehabilitation programs and physician offices and health services its hoped the centrewill also offer such services as massage therapy personal health programs for weight management smoking ces sation yoga and seniors care ms joe said the health and wellness centre could include retail services for hearing aids medical equip ment eyeglasses a pharma cy and orthotics a multilevel parking structure to serve the hospi tals the community centre and the health and wellness centre will have direct access to bur oak avenue a york region transit ter minal is included in the proj ect while a proposed termi nal is adjacent to the north east corner of the existing markham stouffville hospital an alternative places a terminal on hwy 7 the hospitals and town are trying to provide a one- stop shopping experience ms joe said were very excited to partner with the town and with toronto grace to create integrated services she said were the first in- north america to bring hospital services and community recreation and a library all together on one campus while financial and design issues linked to the project are not known at this time an integrated facility will provide both capital and operating efficiencies- to the town mr sales said most notably the town will avoid the significant cap ital cost associated with land purchase he said iri return visitors to the health and wellness facility and approximately 2000 hospital employees will have access to the community centre and library as well access to shared facilities and access to town programs by the onsite hos pital population will offset- operating costs mr sales added during the last year there have been informal discus sions between the town and the hospital about integrat ing the proposed communi ty centre into the hospital carripus the need for the commu- nity centre in the east end of maridiamws identified in a 1999 culture and library facility master plan 1 j- r- t r yesthissupdayjuhe19is fathers dayshow your appreciation fpfqadshard workadvice and support throughout the year by dinins him in style at the corner house the many hearty fathers day- specials include roast prime rib of beef with yorkshire pudding mouthwatering steaks and f resh east coast lobster join us on sunday and show dad you really care ix jl a- 6403 main street stbuffville for reservations please call 9056408494 wwwthecomerhouseca j k4 a