Wilson Memorial General's $8 million renovation completed.

As a glow of brilliant sunshine lit up the modern lobby of Marathon’s renovated hospital Wednesday afternoon, Evelyn Daniel was there, remembering a time when the sick were treated in less fancier digs. “We had a nice hospital for a small town in those days,” Daniel said brightly, gripping her cane as her mind cast back over 40 years of memories. Marathon’s original hospital down by the pulp mill that old timers like Daniel knew is long gone, if not forgotten.

Visitors and dignitaries were in a fair bit of awe Wednesday during tours of the existing Wilson Memorial General. The Peninsula Road facility is now a sight for sore eyes after literally being ripped apart hallway by hallway and room by room over the last two years.

Many would have preferred a new hospital. But when the provincial government balked at paying for one, locals made the best out of a major $8-million renovation. Nearly a quarter of the cost was provided through donations. “Really, we ended up with a new facility for half the price,” commented Wilson Memorial chief executive officer Paul Paradis.

Unlike the original Wilson Memorial, which was cramped and dark in places, the new design lets in more light, including in a large activity room in a brand-new wing for elderly residents. Timmins architect Andy Cotnam, who was on hand for Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting, said the design reflects a trend in hospitals to be more like “community centres” rather than just a place to heal the sick.

The renovation itself was a nightmare for Wilson Memorial employees, some of whom literally got rained upon as construction left holes in the roof. “To me, the amazing thing is that the cleaning staff kept the place spotless,” Paradis said.

wmgh plaque A new telehealth system installed during the renovation allows doctors to communicate directly with specialists in bigger provincial centres like Thunder Bay and London. Said Wilson Memorial chief of staff Dr. Sarah Newbery: “When we go to sleep at night, we trust that our hospital is ready and prepared.”

Wilson Memorial, which delivers about 50 babies a year, is now equipped with a designated birthing room that features a hot tub and a special shower area. Marathon’s Heather Vosdingh, the first resident to be delivered in the original Wilson Memorial on Oct. 2, 1971, would have liked to have had her own baby in the new room. It didn’t work out: Vosdingh was airlifted out and her son was delivered in Thunder Bay. Fortunately, there’s always next time. “We really want that (to happen in Wilson Memorial), because I was born there,” Vosdingh said.