Groundbreaking held for region’s new Fancsy Family Hospital
- Ron Giofu
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
After over a decade in the making, construction is now officially underway for the region’s new mega-hospital.
Now dubbed the Fancsy Family Hospital thanks to a roughly $40 million donation from the late John Fancsy and his family, the official groundbreaking was last Thursday with a ceremony at the Ciociaro Club followed by the actual groundbreaking at the site of the new hospital at the corner of County Road 42 and Concession 9.
Premier Doug Ford and members of his PC government, including Essex MPP Anthony Leardi and Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie, spoke at the event as did leaders and politicians from around the area.
Ford called Leardi and Dowie “champions” and that the Essex County and Windsor communities will be getting world class healthcare. He said the foundation of the health care, education and most aspects of what he deals with is the economy.
“The economy is critical to just about everything,” the premier told the crowd.
Ford thanked all medical professionals and those who work in hospitals performing other duties, noting all of their work is very important. He thanked all donors who have played a role in getting the mega-hospital project to where it is today.
“Everyone plays a critical role,” the premier stated. “The hospital is an incredible achievement of the entire community.”
The new hospital will be built in three phases and, when completed, will feature over 100 additional beds than the two hospitals it is replacing bringing it close to 600, world class cancer care, complex trauma support, maternal and newborn care, surgical services and critical care, neurology and cardiology services and more single-patient rooms.
“As Windsor-Essex continues to grow, our government is ensuring families and workers continue to have access to convenient, world-class health care services close to home, including through our $64 billion plan to build and upgrade more than 50 hospitals across Ontario,” said Ford. “With more than 100 additional beds, a 24/7 emergency department and surgical services, the new Fancsy Family Hospital will connect more patients to specialized care, where and when they need it.”
Leardi also pointed out the province’s $64 billion plan and pointed out there are 17 major multi-million projects already underway across Ontario. The Windsor-Essex project will make it 18, he added.
“I say it feels great to have an 800-pound gorilla on our side,” Leardi said, referencing a comment Ford once made regarding about fighting for a new hospital in this region.
Dowie praised all involved with the project, including Ford, for having the determination to not let the project get derailed as the journey was not always a smooth one. He said the groundbreaking was proof that the government is willing to act.
“Today, the wait is over,” said Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald.
MacDonald said the new Fancsy Family Hospital will end hallway medicine and improve healthcare in the region.
“We can’t wait,” she said.
MacDonald also thanked the province, donors, staff and all parties involved for their commitment to the project and listening to the voices of the people.
The County of Essex is contributing $65 million to the project, she added.
“We believe in the future as well,” said MacDonald.
Many members of Essex County council were in attendance at the ceremony, including Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue and Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said while people may not remember who the mayor was when the announcement was made, they are going to remember the groundbreaking as it was a momentous day for the region. He said efforts didn’t happen in isolation, and it came together thanks to a shared vision.
Windsor Regional Hospital CEO Kristin Kennedy added that community partners helped in getting the project to the groundbreaking. Those include the County of Essex and the City of Windsor and the residents therein.
“Rather than work in silos, they are working collaboratively,” said Kennedy
Terry Fancsy, sister of the late John Fancsy, said their family was always taught to help others and do so with humility. She said, “it is about investing in people” and thanked everyone for coming together for making the vision a reality.
Fancsy said the new hospital will be a place of hope, healing and will change lives.
“What an exciting day,” added Cristina Naccarato, executive director of the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation. “This is truly the culmination of a lot of hard work.”
Naccarato praised all of the donors who have contributed to the project.
“Thank you for stepping up and being a part of our future,” she said.
Groundbreaking held for region’s new Fancsy Family Hospital
By Ron Giofu
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