RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant contributes to environmentally sustainable retrofits at Ross Memorial Hospital

A $200,000 donation towards environmentally sustainable retrofits are helping to strengthen the hospital environment where Kawartha Lakes patients turn for care.

In the operating rooms at Ross Memorial Hospital, air is subject to precision monitoring so that humidity doesn’t compromise infection prevention safety standards. In other spaces, negative pressure must be maintained to prevent the spread of airborne germs. From the newest areas of the Ross (built in 2010) to the oldest (built in 1960), care is taken to keep facilities running as safely and effectively as possible.

This complex process is becoming more efficient thanks to the RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant. This welcome support is enabling Ross Memorial to execute a key component of its Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan.

Today, Devinder Gill of RBC visited the Ross to celebrate the hospital’s Building Automation System (BAS) and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) optimization project.

The RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant provides support for retrofits, repairs, or upgrades to existing public community buildings, as well as construction of new public spaces, focusing on improving environmental sustainability and accessibility.

“Healthy communities start with healthy infrastructure, and Ross Memorial Hospital is an example of what that looks like in practice,” said Devinder Gill, RBC regional president for Ontario North and East, in a press release. “Through the RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant, we’re proud to support Ross Memorial’s vision of a hospital that is as responsible to the environment as it is dedicated to its patients.”

By automating and controlling water pumps and fans to slow down during low demand times, the hospital will reduce energy consumption and extend the life of the hospital’s facility support systems.

“Our HVAC Building Automation System project is designed to enhance environmental quality, operation reliability, and energy performance across Ross Memorial,” said Veronica Nelson, Ross Memorial Hospital President and CEO. “By modernizing control strategies in smart temperature management, demand-based ventilation and reduced equipment runtime, we improve conditions for patients, staff, and visitors, while lowering energy consumption and extending equipment lifespan.”

Hospitals are significant energy consumers. As part of its commitment to be a good neighbour and a leader in environmental stewardship, the RMH Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan includes transformative energy performance goals:  a 25 per cent reduction in energy intensity; a 30 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions; and a five per cent decrease in potable water use by 2028.

“The generous support we are receiving through the RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant will help the Ross prioritize energy and water management at the hospital, aligning with its goals for clinical performance, financial resilience, and environmental leadership,” said Erin Coons, RMH Foundation CEO. “We all count on the Ross for care. Support for critical projects such as this enables our community hospital to function efficiently for years to come.”