Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre – Phase 1 Redevelopment

The redevelopment and expansion of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) marked a defining step in reshaping healthcare delivery across Simcoe Muskoka. Building on the hospital’s original 1997 facility that was design by our Firm, Phase 1 introduced a major expansion and modernization program that transformed RVH from a regional hospital into a fully integrated health campus capable of serving one of Ontario’s fastest-growing populations.

Delivered through Infrastructure Ontario’s Build Finance model, the $260 million The redevelopment added 322,000 sq. ft. of new construction and 70,000 sq. ft. of renovations, increasing the hospital’s capacity by 69 beds and introducing shelled space for future expansion. New clinical departments were seamlessly integrated with the existing hospital, including the expanded Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging, Surgical Services, Laboratory and an administration spaces.  As part of the project the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre, a major new addition, established RVH as the region’s first comprehensive cancer treatment hub. This addition was designed in association with Vermeulen Hind Architects as part of the overall campus expansion and coordinated in phased construction.

Every aspect of the redevelopment was guided by a patient-centred philosophy. The new Emergency Department—three times larger than its predecessor—accommodates more than 70,000 annual visits and incorporates specialized trauma rooms, isolation spaces, and a dedicated mental health area. Patient flow was redesigned for efficiency and dignity: triage occurs electronically, assessment areas use reclining lounge seating instead of stretchers, and a dedicated discharge lounge improves bed turnover and patient privacy.

Clinical flexibility was embedded throughout the facility. Standardized inpatient rooms allow for acuity-based care, while shelled spaces provide for future expansion. The Imaging Department houses state-of-the-art MRI and SPECT CT scanners, and the new laboratory—Canada’s first fully automated at the time—doubles testing capacity while enhancing safety and accuracy through robotic specimen handling.

The Phase 1 expansion was planned as an interconnected series of specialized environments built around patient flow, accessibility, and operational efficiency. The new Emergency Department, three times larger than the original, accommodates more than 70,000 annual visits with separate zones for trauma, mental health, and infectious disease. Patient movement was reimagined to reduce wait times through electronic triage, dedicated assessment areas, and a discharge lounge that improves turnover and privacy.

The Diagnostic Imaging Department was expanded and reorganized to house additional MRIs, interventional radiology suites, and digital mammography, while the Surgical Services floor added two new smart operating rooms with fully integrated digital systems. The Laboratory, expanded to double its previous size, became one of Canada’s first fully automated labs—enhancing accuracy, safety, and turnaround times for the region’s growing patient base.

The Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre, fully integrated within the main hospital circulation network, provides a comprehensive range of oncology services while maintaining continuity with other clinical departments. Shared facilities and internal connections promote efficiency and ease of access for both patients and staff, supporting coordinated care throughout the hospital.

RVH’s expansion was conceived as a place of healing for both body and spirit. Drawing inspiration from the natural landscape surrounding Barrie’s Little Lake, the design emphasizes light, warmth, and transparency. A neutral colour palette based on Ontario’s four seasons establishes intuitive wayfinding and a calming tone throughout patient areas.

Natural light reaches nearly every corridor and care unit, while 42,000 sq. ft. of landscaped green roofs provide views of nature and function as a stormwater management system—among the largest of its kind in Canada at the time. The use of wood, stone, and glass reinforces a sense of comfort and community, with patient rooms and waiting areas overlooking gardens, courtyards, and tree-lined vistas.

Delivered in partnership with Infrastructure Ontario, Vanbots/Carillion Construction, and key subconsultants including HH Angus (Mechanical/Electrical) and WSP (Structural), the project exemplified coordinated design leadership under tight timelines. The Salter Pilon team facilitated hundreds of user-group sessions to align operational needs with design goals, completing final contract documents within eight months of approvals.

Lessons from RVH’s redevelopment—patient-focused layouts, integration of smart surgical suites, and early engagement with authorities—have directly informed Salter Pilon’s later healthcare work.