The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance's (CKHA) cheque book is going to be worn out over the next few months.
It currently has $11.9 million in reserves to spend on various projects, with plans to do so during the 2026-27 fiscal year. CKHA's fiscal year runs from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
One of the larger projects will be replacing the boiler system at the Chatham hospital. In early 2026, the current system malfunctioned, forcing staff to postpone multiple surgeries. A temporary boiler system has been set up to help the hospital manage until the upgrades are finished.
Along with updating the boiler system, there are plans to replace the Chatham hospital's chiller.
Adam Topp, president and CEO of the CKHA, told reporters during a media conference that the chiller is exactly what most people think it is: a cooling system.
"We have a chiller on the roof as well that provides chilled water to make sure the organization stays cool over the summer," he explained.
The Chatham hospital will also undergo some electrical work.
When it comes to the Wallaceburg hospital, the focus remains on the redevelopment project. CKHA recently received a $2.5 million grant from the provincial government to help cover the costs during the planning stages, with part of this funding included in the $11.9 million cash balance.
Topp was asked why the funds weren't being used to erase CKHA's deficit or long-term debt. The balance would be enough to cover at least one, as the deficit for the 2026/27 fiscal year is sitting around $4 million, while the long-term debt is around $9.2 million.
Topp was quick to point out that the money is being spent on projects that need to be done.
"That money is earmarked for those types of investments, none of which are cheap," he added.
Topp explained that the long-term debt is being dealt with and that CKHA is projecting the deficit to be gone during the next fiscal year.
