Health & Wellness Hub Initiative

Health & Wellness Hub Initiative

Connecting Health & Community, Closer to Home

As part of the Township of Greater Madawaska’s Grow Greater Together initiative, improving access to health services is a top priority. The Township is undertaking a significant community project by creating a Health & Wellness Hub that brings care, learning, and community services together in one central place.

This initiative is guided by the Calabogie Junction Health & Wellness Hub Strategic Framework, endorsed by Council in October 2025.

Although the physical Hub will be located in Calabogie, the benefits and services are designed to reach every community across the Township. This is called a hub-and-spokes model, which is used across rural Ontario to ensure people living in large geographic areas have equitable access to health and wellness supports.

Vision for a Health Services Hub

The Township has acquired 6.54 acres of strategically located land in the heart of Calabogie, along the former railbed. This site links key community assets, including the Community Centre and Rink, the School, and the Daycare — making it an ideal location for a future Health Services Hub.

A key priority for this land is the potential development of a centralized Health Services Hub. The vision is to bring together a range of health care and community support services in one accessible, modern facility.

The Township is working with local and regional partners to explore opportunities to expand current services and attract additional care providers.

This includes:

• Enhancing primary care offerings
• Recruiting additional physicians and allied health professionals
• Advocating for provincial and federal support
• Exploring facility expansion options in partnership with existing medical service providers

What the Hub provides

A permanent, centralized space for:

• Clinical and diagnostic services
• Community wellness and prevention programs
• Education, training, and partnerships
• Seniors support and navigation
• Social programs and community connection

What the Spokes provide

Mobile, rotating, or satellite services that come to you, such as:

• Wellness programs hosted in community halls
• Health promotion workshops
• Navigation and support delivered through local organizations
• Outreach from community paramedicine

Why This Matters for Greater Madawaska

Greater Madawaska is one of the largest and most geographically dispersed municipalities in Renfrew County. Many residents travel long distances, often outside the County,  for primary care, diagnostics, rehabilitation, wellness programming, and community supports.
These realities create real barriers to staying healthy, active, and connected.

Project Stages & Timeline

The Township is taking a phased approach to improving health and wellness services across Greater Madawaska. This includes hearing directly from residents, learning from local service providers, exploring partnership opportunities, and advocating for support at the provincial level.

 Public Consultation Sessions:

(December 2025)
The Township is hosting two in-person public consultation sessions to gather input on what residents need to live well and access care closer to home. Each session includes updates from local service providers, an overview of the Health & Wellness Hub Initiative, and table discussions on community needs.

• • • Griffith & Matawatchan Rec Centre – December 3, 2025, 6–8 PM
    • Calabogie Community Hall – December 10, 2025, 6–8 PM

These sessions are the starting point for understanding community priorities across our geographically diverse Township.

 Expression of Interest (EOI) for Partners

(Closes December 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM)
The Township of Greater Madawaska is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified developers, design-build teams, and project partners to explore innovative options for developing the Calabogie Junction Health and Wellness Hub.

Submissions can be made using the Online Bids & Tenders Portal, or by submitting to the CAO by email, following the review the Expression of Interest Document and the Strategic Framework.

The submission process will be open from October 22, 2025 to December 6, 2025 at 3:00pm.

For inquiries or clarifications, please contact the CAO by email.

Please Note: Submissions received will not create any obligation for the Township and are intended solely to inform future planning and funding discussions.

  Online Community Survey

(December 2025 – January 2026)
Residents who cannot attend an in-person session will be able to share their input online. The survey will highlight key ideas we heard and ask residents to confirm, clarify, and prioritize the themes most important to them.

  Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) 2026

(January 18–20, 2026)
The Township will present at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) 2026 Conference. Advocating for improved rural access to health and wellness services and advancement of the Health & Wellness Hub vision. These meetings are a key opportunity to elevate the needs of our community at the provincial level.

  Community Update & Next Steps

(February–March 2026)
The Township will release a public update and next steps.