New Huntsville hospital one step closer to reality with record-setting donation

A record-breaking $20 million donation will support the building of a new Huntsville hospital.

The Huntsville Hospital Foundation received the largest commitment in Muskoka’s history - a $20 million donation to help fund the ‘Raise Muskoka Campaign’ to build one health care system and two new hospitals.

The record-setting donation will be used to match donations up to $17.5 million and establish a $2.5 million scholarship to recruit and train health care professionals.

The campaign aims to raise $1 billion, with contributions from the province, the Muskoka District, and local communities to build a new health care system in Muskoka.

The new hospital in Huntsville will be named in honour of long-time resident Bob Hutcheson, who is celebrating his 99th birthday. Officials say Hutcheson has been a champion of health care in Muskoka for many years and has worked tirelessly to improve services in the region.

“This has been a wonderful community to live in, and we would like to see the best health care for all of us,” said Hutcheson. “Working together, we’ve brought together a group of families and partners who feel the same way. Together, we’ll build a new hospital for the next generation.”

“We are on our way to making our new Huntsville hospital a reality,” stated Katherine Craine, CEO of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. “This gift is a massive head start, and we are very excited for, and proud of, our community.”

The donation was led by the Jack Cockwell family in partnership with several other local families and foundations.