Di Poce Management Limited (DPML) and the Town of Collingwood are announcing the execution of a development agreement between both parties, marking a pivotal milestone toward creating Canada’s first-ever fully integrated regional health and wellness village. The Poplar Regional Health and Wellness Village includes up to 30 acres of land that Mr. John Di Poce, owner of the lands, has committed to donate as a community benefit for a new state-of-the-art regional hospital campus for Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH). The hospital redevelopment scope and location are pending Provincial approval.
The fully executed development agreement outlines a planning process for the Poplar Regional Health and Wellness Village and key community benefits encompassing park and trail development and activation, the donation of up to 30 acres for the future CGMH, as well as two acres for a future Town of Collingwood fire station. It also includes a commitment to deliver a minimum of 10% mix of attainable and affordable housing within the project.
Quotes
“This collaboration is a testament to Collingwood’s commitment to vibrant communities and holistic well-being. Together we’re forging a path towards a healthier future for Collingwood and our neighboring municipalities,” said, Yvonne Hamlin, Mayor, Town of Collingwood.
“I am pleased that Di Poce Management Limited has confirmed their commitments through this mutually promising agreement, and that the community benefits will further support and enable a new hospital at this site. It’s a big win for the community!” said Tim Fryer, Deputy Mayor, Town of Collingwood.
“I am very pleased to see that the Town of Collingwood and Di Poce Management Limited have negotiated and signed the development agreement. The agreement confirms the way forward for the realization of their shared vision for the Poplar Sideroad lands to provide much needed workforce housing and make our region a leader in the healthcare sector,” said Brian Saunderson, MPP, Simcoe-Grey.
“This project represents everything I believe in and have practiced over my lifetime – access to healthcare, education, jobs, and housing. I am very proud of this project and everything it will bring to this community,” said John Di Poce, President, Di Poce Management Limited.
“We are thrilled to take this next step with the Town of Collingwood toward making this project a reality. This milestone allows us to begin advancing the next steps of the approvals process and also represents the continued opportunity to bring strategic partnerships to the forefront that our team has been working on over the past year and longer,” said Armando Lopes, VP Development, Di Poce Management Limited.
“The fully executed development agreement between the Town of Collingwood and DPML comes after over a year of successfully working together with the Town of Collingwood’s past and current leadership and staff. A transformative project of this magnitude takes time to set up appropriately and must include community benefits aligned with the needs of the area,” said Max Reim, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Managing Partner, and Founding Principal of Live Work Learn Play Inc.
“We are delighted that the development agreement has been fully executed with The Town of Collingwood. It excites me to see the tremendous opportunities in health, wellness and much-needed workforce housing that the Poplar project can help provide for the region,” said Terry Geddes, consultant with Live Work Learn Play Inc.
Quick Facts About the Project
The vision for the Poplar Regional Health and Wellness Village addresses several critical issues Collingwood and the region are facing today.
- Catalyzes an enduring positive economy for Collingwood and many other communities in this region of Ontario, including delivering new, quality employment opportunities.
- Brings world-class innovation in health and wellness to this region, setting a new standard for healthcare delivery, healthy living and well-being in the area and beyond.
- Creates much-needed purpose-built and affordable and attainable housing for current and future Collingwood and regional employers.
- Delivers a safe and healthy excellence in aging in place community for a rapidly growing aging regional population.
- Delivers an environmentally friendly, low carbon footprint and fully integrated development in a walkable, mixed-use format that aligns with North American best practices.
To learn more about the project visit: https://poplarhealthandwellnessvillage.com/
About Di Poce Management Limited
Di Poce Management Limited is a Canadian holding and investment company. Privately owned and operated since 1986 by John Di Poce, entrepreneur and philanthropist. John and his family have a mission to ensure that the current and future citizens of the region have access to state-of-the-art health and wellness and education, as shown by his many philanthropic efforts in Collingwood and beyond. This includes a land donation to Georgian College, many contributions to the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation, and to the Toronto General Foundation (University Health Network - UHN) with the establishment of the John Di Poce and Family Transplant Innovation Centre.
About Collingwood
The Town of Collingwood is a progressive community located in the heart of a four-season recreation area on the southern shore of Georgian Bay. The area is well known for its many natural amenities and its rich heritage. Collingwood is a destination for tourism and many business, sporting, and cultural events Collingwood acts as gateway to the South Georgian Bay region, with stunning landscapes that encourage an active lifestyle, and inspire the local arts and culture community. Downtown Collingwood might just surprise you with 30 plus restaurants, 60 plus boutique shops, spas for relaxing, live music for grooving…all in the only downtown core recognized in Canada’s Registrar of Historic Places! More recently, the harbourfront area is emerging as an extension to the downtown district. Plans for expanding the amenities and events in the harbourfront area promise to make this a much more prominent tourism destination.