**Dr. Tina Kappos CCFHT and Barb McCabe Fundraising Chair cut a cake to celebrate the Gravenhurst Health Hub project milestone.**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gravenhurst, ON — January 28, 2026: The grass roots community collaboration between the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst and the local Family Health Team is proceeding on the first phase of their three phase multi-year project. The Board of Cottage Country Family Health Team is expected to sign a contract with a contractor in the next couple of weeks for infrastructure renovations to the vacant top floor at 5 Pineridge Gate.

“The second floor has been vacant for 15 years and this expansion is long overdue with so many of our residents lacking local access to essential primary health care services. We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst for making this happen. This expanded space will enable us to accommodate and recruit new family physicians and expand services for all residents” said Dr. Tina Kappos, Chair of the Cottage Country Family Health Team Board.

The small groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Gravenhurst Town Council Chambers and was hosted by the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst to thank the many donors, volunteers and partners who have enabled the group to meet its first goal on time.

Mayor Heidi Lorenz and District Chair Jeff Lehman were in attendance to speak to their commitment to the project. Both the Town and the District provided $200,000 in funding for Phase 1 construction.

Mayor Lorenz spoke about how this project has the full support of the town and about how this unique partnership has attracted the interest of other municipalities and provincial organizations. Mayor Lorenz just returned from the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference where she was a panelist speaking about the Health Hub project on January 21st in Toronto.

“The Town of Gravenhurst is a proud supporter of this project, which will enhance the quality of health care for our residents now and for years to come,” Mayor Lorenz said. “On behalf of council, I want to commend everyone who has helped make the health hub possible. Your involvement in this project is a testament to what a great community we live in.”

District Chair, Jeff Lehman was joined by key staff members Julie Stevens, Chief Administrative Officer and Norm Barrette, Commissioner, Health Services. “This project is a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose.” said District Chair Jeff Lehman. “The Gravenhurst Health Hub will help bring primary care closer to home for residents, and the District is proud to support a local solution that strengthens health care access across Muskoka.”

“I want to congratulate and thank the many local advocates and champions behind this project,” said MPP Graydon Smith. “Their hard work is helping strengthen access to care close to home. I fully support this project and will continue advocating for initiatives that expand local health care services for residents of Parry Sound-Muskoka.”

“Our Rotary Club has been supporting our community for over 85 years and we are overwhelmed with the amazing support this project has received from the community and donors. We have raised over $1 million dollars toward our estimated $1.5 to $1.7 million goal for all three phases to fully complete our vision in 2027,” said Bruce Hemphill, Chair of The Gravenhurst Health Hub Steering Committee. “We’re coming together – with care providers, our community and government – to bring to life an innovative yet practical solution for all of Muskoka.”

Municipal, District and Provincial leaders were present to join in the celebration with many local donors and congratulate the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst and Cottage Country Family Health Team on meeting this important milestone.
From Left to Right: Sandy Cairns District, Peter Johnston Town, Trish Mintz CCFHT, Marsha Barnes GHH/Rotary, Lorraine Johnston GHH/CCFHT, Tom Long Rotary, Dr. Tina Kappos CCFHT, Jeff Lehman District, Barb McCabe Rotary, Dr. Keith Cross CCFHT, Mayor Heidi Lorenz, Graydon Smith MPP, Bruce Hemphill Rotary, Norm Barrett District, Scott Lucas Town

**Photo of vacant space to be renovated in Phase 1 beginning in February 2026**

About the Gravenhurst Health Hub

Gravenhurst and area are severely under-resourced in primary health care providers and allied health professionals. Over 6,000 residents—almost half of the population—do not have a local family physician or nurse practitioner, leaving them without essential care and having to travel long distances or utilize the hospital emergency department.

The goal is to create a convenient healthcare home in South Muskoka for all residents that provides expanded access to a full continuum of health and social services in one multi-service, multi-function space. The project aims to renovate and complete over 12,000 square feet of space located on the second floor of the Cottage Country Family Health Team in Gravenhurst.

The project is set out in three phases. The first phase, at an estimated cost of $750,000 will complete the bathrooms, floors, ceilings, walls, electrical and plumbing for the space to make it ready for leasehold improvements by Spring 2026. The new space could accommodate enough primary care providers and interprofessional team members—including, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, mental health workers to provide care to all residents. It also aspires to introduce new programs such as a visiting specialist program, diagnostic imaging, after hours care and possibly a new primary care teaching clinic.

The Cottage Country Family Health Team submitted an application on November 14th to the provincial government for operational funding for 10 new positions for the Gravenhurst Hub site. The province is expected to make decisions on this funding by April 2026.

The Gravenhurst Health Hub Steering Committee (a partnership between the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst and Cottage Country Family Health Team) and its five subcommittees is comprised of over 60 community volunteers who have been spearheading this project, hosting fundraising events and raising awareness.

Cottage Country Family Health Team has an online wait list for residents seeking a provider at www.ccfht.ca and sign up to the provincial Health Care Connect site is encouraged at www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect