THUNDER BAY — St. Joseph's Care Group is modernizing the fire suppression system in the older sections of St. Joseph's Hospital.
Work on the multi-year project began in 2021 in the north and south wings of the Algoma Street building, where some of the infrastructure dates back over 70 years.
On behalf of Health Minister Sylvia Jones, Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland on Monday announced about $672,000 in provincial funding for upgrades that will bring the fire suppression system into compliance with changes to the Ontario Fire Code that take effect on Dec. 31, 2024.
A care group spokesperson says the work that will be done — including replacing things such as pipes, pumps and sprinklers — is extremely important even though it largely involves equipment that people don't notice or pay attention to when they visit the hospital.
St. Joseph's Care Group expects to complete the project next year, well ahead of the government deadline.
The project will harmonize the fire suppression infrastructure throughout the hospital, making the system in the older parts of the hospital consistent with that of the East Wing, which was opened in 2018.
Funding for the project comes from the health ministry's Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.
"Updates to infrastructure are often unseen, but they are critical to delivering safe, high-quality health care," St. Joseph's Care Group president and CEO Kelli O'Brien said.
St. Joseph's Hospital has 264 beds, including 224 physical rehabilitation beds and 40 beds in the mental health rehabilitation section in the East Wing.
