Grey-Bruce will soon have first-class end-of-life care following approval from Owen Sound council for a site plan agreement for a stand-alone hospice.
The Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce has been operating for over two years with six beds in the Seasons Retirement Home.
The new $3.50-million building planned for 10th Street East will have eight beds.
Executive Director Scott Lovell says the extra two beds will ease their ongoing waiting list.
"It's an incredible difference because when you look at a list of people who are wanting to get into a residential hospice that are unable to make it in because our beds are full, to be able to capture two more repeatedly over time means that we're having a greater reach," says Lovell.
The hospice still needs community support through donations since the province does not provide capital funding. Last fall, the Chapman family, owners of Chapman's Ice Cream in Markdale contributed $1-million.
The next step for the Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce is to apply for building permits. Lovell expects construction to begin this spring.
