Construction begins on new paramedics headquarters in Kawartha Lakes

Ground has officially been broken at 230 Angeline Street South, the future location of Kawartha Lakes new paramedic headquarters.

The new headquarters will bring together paramedic services currently operating from multiple locations across Kawartha Lakes. It will also house administrative offices, training, logistics, and fleet operations. The facility will enhance efficiency and operational response capacity to better serve the community.

“For the first time in the history the City of Kawartha Lakes is building a purpose-built facility for paramedic services. That’s something our team has hoped for and worked towards for many years. It’s more than a building, it’s an investment in our people, the care we provide, and our ability to continue serving this community for years to come,” said Sara Johnston, chief of paramedic services.

Michelle Bell has been a paramedic with the city since 2002, and spent time gathering feedback from frontline staff to ensure the building was designed with their needs in mind. “(The building) will be our home. It will be a place where we learn from one another, mentor future paramedics and (build a) bond that makes us a team. It will be a place where we gather before shift, and we (will return to) knowing there’s a space of our own to decompress and take care of each other,” she said.

The headquarters is expected to cost $50 million with funding coming from the municipality, the province, and development charges.

“When we invest in a new infrastructure like this, we’re making an investment not only in the staff but in the care of residents,” said Mayor Doug Elmslie. “This building will allow (paramedics) to do what they do best; provide quality care.”

The strategically selected location is expected to improve emergency response times. The facility will house paramedic services, a new IT backup server room, and a backup communications and dispatch centre for the Kawartha Lakes Police Service.

The new headquarters was also designed sustainably. Energy-efficient systems and waste reduction measures will be incorporated to align with the municipality’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

“It is encouraging to be able to support our paramedic team with this headquarters that will work with them and allow them to focus on the work that really matters, and makes a difference in the lives of residents,” Elmslie said.

“Every day you provide compassionate, professional care to our community, often during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. You deserve a facility designed to support the important work you do and help our service continue to grow for years to come,” Johnston told paramedics who attended the ground-breaking ceremony. “Today marks the beginning of construction, but it also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Services.”