If you’re coming to KGH over the next few months, you’ll notice the main lobby is looking a little bit different. And it’s going to look a lot different as the space undergoes a major renovation that includes the addition of some new retail services.
 
The lobby is being renovated to make room for the addition of a new Tim Hortons coffee outlet, the return of Lovell Drugs pharmacy to KGH and an overall reconfiguration to help improve traffic flow through this busy area.
 
To see what the new space will look like, click on the 3D schematic of the new space.
 
The “On the Go” outlet featuring Tim Hortons is now open and will serve coffee, tea and baked goods from 6:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Monday to Friday only. It will not serve meal items such as sandwiches and soups. These items and others will continue to be offered by the KGH Auxiliary Café which will remain in its current location as will the Auxiliary Gift Shop.
 
The admitting offices and patient registration offices have been relocated to a renovated area in Fraser Armstrong Patient Centre (FAPC) 1 to make way for Lovell Drugs which will be located next to the coffee kiosk. The pharmacy will cater to both patients and staff and will fill prescriptions as well as stock a small assortment of over-the-counter products.
 
Other changes include the relocation of the information desk to the opposite side of the lobby adjacent to the Auxiliary Café. A permanent stone partition separates the busy lobby area from the café’s eating area. The space around the info desk is also  the new home for public and taxi telephones, a bank machine and an adjoining enclosure for wheelchair storage. The lottery kiosk has been relocated to a new location next to the KGH Auxiliary Tuck Shop area on Connell 1.
 
The renovation has also included the addition of two new accessible public washrooms close to the existing male and female washrooms. A quiet family room is also being added.
 
Another significant change will be the removal of the carpet from the entire space including the Auxiliary Café. This work will be completed at the same time to minimize disruption. The carpet will be replaced with porcelain tile flooring. The walls will also get a refresh with a new coat of paint in colours similar to those being used in the newly redeveloped spaces.
 
There will be some disruption and noise during the construction. Hoarding – barriers that separate construction space from public space – has been installed and signage and volunteers will help reroute people around the work area. Some of the work will be completed at night when traffic is reduced to minimize the disruption to patients, families and staff as much as possible.
 
The work is expected to be completed early this year with the new Lovell Drugs pharmacy opening in March 2012.
 
The hospital’s joint planning office is leading the renovation. The lobby redesign was created by local architectural firm Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd. and the construction work is being completed by local contractor Cupido Construction. Both firms were awarded the work following an official proposal and tendering process coordinated by Shared Support Services of Southeastern Ontario (3SO), the hospital’s procurement arm.
 
The project is being funded by contributions from the retail vendors and the hospital’s capital budget.