Monday, August 18, 2025
Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) has selected EllisDon as the Construction Manager to oversee enabling works construction for the newly named Fancsy Family Hospital Project, marking a major step forward in the transformation of health care in the region.
Phase one includes the construction of:
- An Administration Centre with an auditorium, simulation training centre, classrooms, and office space for support staff.
- A multi-level parking garage that will connect into the new facility and provide convenient, covered access to services in the new hospital, and
- Essential site infrastructure to support future phases of the hospital build.
Enabling works is expected to take approximately three years to complete and represents the first visible step in the broader redevelopment effort. The elements will be designed to integrate seamlessly with the main hospital build, ensuring a cohesive and efficient build-out of the hospital campus.
With the selection of a Construction Manager, WRH is on track to have shovels in the ground for this phase of the new state-of-the-art acute care hospital by early 2026, if not sooner.
“This announcement is another exciting and tangible step toward delivering the new state-of-the-art hospital our community has been waiting for,” said Karen Riddell, acting president and CEO and Chief Nursing Executive of Windsor Regional Hospital. “By selecting EllisDon, we are partnering with a team that has a proven track record in delivering complex healthcare infrastructure. This early work will set the stage for the full build and bring us closer to a facility that will meet the needs of our patients, families, and staff for decades to come.”
EllisDon was selected through a competitive procurement process for enabling works, based on proven experience in delivering large-scale health and infrastructure projects, including the Brampton Civic Hospital, which opened in 2007 and the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, which opened in 2015. In addition, they are currently working on the South Niagara Project as well as the Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital and Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children.
“It is a privilege for EllisDon to lead the first phase of the new Windsor Regional Hospital project. We recognize how vital this hospital will be for Windsor and Essex County – a place where compassion, innovation, and healing unite for generations to come,” said Randy Reymer, SVP and area manager, Southwestern Ontario, EllisDon. “Guided by our extensive experience in healthcare infrastructure, our team is inspired by Windsor Regional Hospital’s vision and grateful for the trust placed in us.”
Earlier this year – following another competitive selection process – Diamond Schmitt Architects was selected to lead the planning and design for this enabling works phase and has been working closely with hospital staff and key users to design a space that supports collaboration and innovation.
Located adjacent to the main hospital, the Education and Administration Centre will offer easy access for support teams and visitors, while also creating a distinct environment for learning, development, and cross-disciplinary engagement.
“Our government is making historic investments to protect Ontario’s health-care system, ensuring that more people in Windsor and Essex County can connect to the care they need, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Today’s milestone marks an important step in the development of the New Fancsy Family Hospital, which upon completion will make it faster and easier for more people and their families to access world-class hospital care in their community, for generations to come.”
The New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital will be named The Fancsy Family Hospital, in recognition of a transformational gift of approximately $40 million from the estate of the late John Thomas Fancsy.
Fancsy was a engineer who went on to join the family business after graduating with a degree in mathematics from University of Guelph and a degree in engineering from University of Windsor. As a wine connoisseur, he joined his brother Stephen to found the award-winning Viewpointe Estate Winery in Harrow. John had a passion for supporting local endeavours and was instrumental to establishing Essex County as a premier destination for wine enthusiasts.
The Fancsy family has deep ties to Windsor-Essex and played a vital role in shaping the local automotive sector. John’s grandfather, Stephen Fancsy, co-founded major auto parts manufacturing companies, actively growing the sector and employing thousands of people locally.
“I’m deeply appreciative of the Fancsy family’s incredible generosity. This record-breaking $40 million gift from the late John Fancsy’s estate will help build The Fancsy Family Hospital and transform health care for families in Windsor-Essex for generations to come, supporting our nearly $60 billion plan to build more than 50 hospitals across the province. On behalf of the people of Ontario, I want to thank the Fancsy family for this lasting legacy,” said Premier Doug Ford.
While hospitals in the province are primarily paid for by the province, the local community is responsible for funding 10 percent of hospital construction costs, as well as 100 percent of the furniture, fixtures, equipment, parking and shell space. This donation – in addition to other generous gifts to the new hospital and the contributions committed by the City of Windsor and Essex County – is a critical boost towards meeting this requirement.
Featured image: (Windsor Regional Hospital)
