Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) forges ahead with hospital plans and site testing.

To our community members:

Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) forges ahead with new hospital plans and site testing.

This new regional health campus and acute care project will allow WAHA to expand health promotion and increase its programs and services capacity. A new hospital will also better accommodate primary healthcare services regionally and be a benefit economically to many.

President and CEO, Lynne Innes, highlights that “an increase in traffic from construction professionals in Moose Factory and Moosonee signals progress. We are moving in the right direction towards building our new hospital. WAHA hopes to accomplish this redevelopment project as convenient as possible, while keeping our communities informed is a high priority.”

Here are some of the site testing’s occurring presently. There are Stage 3 assessment scheduled to occur between June 15 and June 24, 2021. Also apart of the Stage 3 assessment is the excavation of 1 metre by 1 metre square test units. This is completed across the site on a 5-metre grid and an additional 20% of grid total in areas of interest (e.g., near high count units) within the grid area.

Additionally, you can expect to see the following;
• Units excavated through topsoil and 5 cm into subsoil.
• Bottom of each unit shovel-shined/troweled and then examined for evidence of features.
• Units are photographed and then backfilled.
• Artifacts recovered from the Stage 3-unit excavation are cleaned and analyzed in Stantec’s lab facility in London, Ont. • Each location will be assessed against Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries (MHSTCI) criteria for determining whether each site requires Stage 4 mitigation of impacts. This work is completed through excavation or avoidance and protection (if feasible). if a particular site does not meet prescribed Stage 4 criteria, MHSTCI does allow for sites of interest to a community to be recommended for Stage 4.

Your patience as we move this project closer to the goal is most appreciated. We continue to strive towards building a centre of excellence and provide quality healthcare as close to home as possible.

Thank you,
Lynne Innes, President & Chief Executive Officer, WAHA

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