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Video: One final walk through of the Rotunda at Richmond Hospital
Brenda Wagner, Social Worker at Minoru Residence, and Tom So, Senior Manager of Facilities, Maintenance & Operations at Richmond Hospital, guide us through the Rotunda one last time before its demolition.
The Rotunda served as the original long-term care center until the relocation to Minoru Residence in 1993. Since then, it has been a hub for various health care services and teams. Last year, these teams moved from the Rotunda to 5 North, to the Milan Ilich Pavilion and to new buildings, marking a new chapter.
“I can't believe it's being demolished," said Tom, “after all these years. I just thought it was going to be here forever."
Demolition work will start with safely removing and disposing materials so the exterior structure will remain in place for a few months. Near the end of demolition, the exterior structure will be knocked down. Demolition of the Rotunda is expected to be completed by this summer 2024.
“You know that it's had a good life and it's time for something new to take it's place." said Brenda.
The Rotunda will be demolished to prepare for construction of the Yurkovich Family Pavilion, Richmond Hospital's nine-floor acute care tower, with a bigger emergency department and short-stay pediatrics, more operating and procedure rooms, an intensive care unit; a fully equipped medical imaging department; and a pharmacy.
Learn more about the Richmond Hospital Redevelopment Project