The former St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital is showing clear signs of its impending closure.
As plans move forward to demolish the historic hospital for new residential and commercial developments in Central Elgin, much of the 460-acre site is now surrounded by fences while cleanup continues. Warning signs indicate danger due to demolition activities.
“Contractors began on-site abatement work in May 2026, which is expected to take approximately 12 months,” says Ian Mc Conachie, who manages media relations and communications for Infrastructure Ontario.
“Safety fencing is being set up to protect the public and prevent unauthorized access to the active worksite.”
While the buildings will eventually be removed (Ian did not provide a specific timeline), some memories will linger on.
“To honor the hospital’s history, Infrastructure Ontario, as the government’s real estate agent, will collaborate with local authorities and future developers to preserve and repurpose certain stone carvings and heritage features from the existing buildings as part of the new project.”
The hospital opened in spring 1939 under then-premier Mitch Hepburn’s oversight. In 1940, it became an RCAF training school during World War II before reverting back in 1945 to a psychiatric facility with a capacity of 2,200 beds. (Interestingly, only half of what was planned was actually constructed.)
The hospital shut down in 2013 following the establishment of newer facilities in London and St. Thomas regions and has remained vacant since then.
Despite calls from heritage activists for some level of preservation of the building, both Infrastructure Ontario and Central Elgin have stated that the institution – consisting of a total of 22 buildings – cannot be saved.
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Dancing Through The Decades
With Arthur Voaden secondary school now closed down, Vikings celebrated recently at the St. Thomas Seniors’ Centre while gearing up for a September event marking what would have been their school’s centennial anniversary. The event theme was Dance Your Decade; Bonnie Brown – who was known as Bonnie Bowlby when she graduated (“I’m an oldie… in 1960,” she laughed over the phone) – remembered her poodle skirt hanging in her closet and said to her husband Michael, “C’mon, let’s go.” Nostalgically recalling lunchtime dances at school, Bonnie noted: “I’m a glutton for punishment. When you start playing music from my time – we’re talking Elvis, the Beatles or anything like that – I just can’t help myself.” The poodle skirt came as a gift from a friend at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital where Bonnie worked for around three decades in housekeeping after borrowing it for various dress-up events. (“I had my own poodle skirt back in the ‘50s but somehow it didn’t fit.”) Wearing a poodle skirt earned Bonnie Brown best-dressed honors at an evening themed Dress Your Decade ahead of centennial festivities scheduled for September at Arthur Voaden secondary school. She graduated back in 1960. (Contributed) Contributed /jpeg, ST, apsmc Bonnie ended up winning best dressed that night – taking home a $50 gas card. She expressed how surprised she was when news about the school’s closing came through. “There’s so much history there.” She mentioned staying connected with school friends during their gatherings each first Friday in June at Sunset Grill organized by Shirley Shore. “Last June we had about twenty people show up. It was such fun!” The decade dance went well overall according to organizer Betty Jenkins Green. “Sadly not as many showed up as we were hoping for, but everyone present seemed to enjoy themselves! The hall looked amazing with pieces representing every decade scattered throughout.” The Vikings are also hoping to set up a booth at Horton Farmers’ Market this August according to Betty’s update. “We’ve placed an order for merchandise so keep an eye on our website voaden100. com for updates.”Civic Participation Through Photography
No one can deny Lake Margaret and Waterworks Park are both stunning locations! This has now been captured through new photography efforts. Since springtime began here in St. Thomas parks and recreation has encouraged park visitors to take pictures using their cellphones at Turtle Pond by Lake Margaret along with lily ponds situated within Waterworks Park. “It’s really just kind of cool citizen-science project,” stated Cody Montgomery who oversees city parks and forestry initiatives. By capturing images from fixed mounts installed back in April and sending them into Chronolog-an international grassroots environmental monitoring group-visitors are creating an ongoing online record reflecting seasonal changes occurring over time. “It gives us some data-hard data-that we can track year over year.”Click here:
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A Creative Gathering at Playhouse
An Artistic Takeover At Princess Avenue Playhouse!
Meanwhile, the Princess Avenue Playhouse hosted another creative gathering last Saturday. Thirty-one artists from St. Thomas, London, and even Woodstock came together inside this heritage-designated building. They aimed to capture moments both inside and outside the former church setting, including musical performances as well as play rehearsals happening on stage. The playhouse originally built back in 1908 served as St. Thomas Christian Church before being reopened by Elgin Theatre Guild way back in1988 establishing itself firmly within community theatrical productions. This marks only second time such event has been organized by St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre – they held similar outing last year where artists gathered inside old barn located on Fingal Line. Results showcasing creativity amassed during these outings will feature prominently come November exhibit called Framework highlighting works done by participating artists displayed art gallery venue! Paul Baldwin-a local historian previously mentioned-is curating forthcoming exhibition featuring prominent architect Neil Darrach whose impressive designs include structures around town including city hall! Sherri Howard serves alongside Laura Woermke-the public art center executive director-to reflect upon architecture appreciation inspired upon initial realization no visual representation exists within permanent collection depicting playhouse building. This realization sparked initiative leading into proposed inclusion framework! Eventually one artwork selected during exhibition may become purchaseable piece included within gallery collection!Pride Week Celebration Begins!
A Pride flag found its way raised high Monday morning above City Hall signifying municipality declaring Elgin County Pride Week aiming “to celebrate strength diversity & contributions made by those belonging within 2SLGBTQIA+ community.” Continuing city social media post expressed gratitude toward attendees joining celebration recognizing importance fostering inclusive environment promoting respect & value amongst all citizens encouraging sense belonging throughout communities. Highlighting week’s events includes upcoming Pride In The Park slated between11 am until4 pm Saturday providing entertainment delicious food vendors local service organizations offering resources actively supporting community members! Further details available clicking here: elgincountypride. comSummer Concert Series Continues Next Week!
Mark your calendars because summertime Wednesday concert series presented Old Saint Thomas Church keeps rolling next week featuring Railway City Wind Ensemble performing diverse selections spanning Handel right through Leonard Cohen classics! Concerts kick-off starting promptly @7 PM donations received benefit historic Walnut Street church preservation initiatives!A Quest For A Road Map?
Who would’ve thought navigating road maps would become quite tricky nowadays especially finding one covering Ontario? Such proved difficult lately notably visiting two different gas stations searching unsuccessfully-one clerk even went onto tip-toe investigating supply cupboard behind counter ultimately discovering dog-eared selection buried among assorted items found yet still lacking needed map! Friends assure me reliance solely upon GPS provided via cell phones negates necessity physical paper maps. Sure I’d respond-but only if remembered charging device beforehand plus availability signals out there whilst roaming remote areas without reception does complicate matters further! Although CAA regrettably closed its office located here within town fortunately sufficient stock remains available accessible conveniently through organization’s London outlet once location googled via cellphone! So finally secured map now summer road trip planning begins because isn’t that what summers meant?! Wishing you all well. Email: ericbunnellspeople@gmail. comSource link
