Restoration targets ageing masonry on Russell Street building
The oldest portion of Sarnia’s hospital campus has received masonry attention after a first phase of restoration work on the Russell Street building completed this summer.
The project — a $50,000 contract carried out by Greenville Restoration Services — focused on sealing exterior brick and addressing failing joints to prevent water infiltration and further deterioration, a Bluewater Health official said.
“Brick over time does start to get porous and crack, and grout lines start to break down. That introduces water infiltration and . . . deterioration.”
The comment was made by Sean Aquilina, facility services co‑ordinator for Bluewater Health. Work in the first year also included sealing and caulking around windows and ledges, according to the health centre.
Which buildings were treated and what remains
The Russell Street structure, originally opened in 1944 as St. Joseph’s Hospital, houses administration and mental health services and sits next to a connected building known as the E building. The latter is a six-storey section constructed in the late 1950s and has been identified for conversion into a new addictions hub.
Both the seven-storey Russell Street block and the six-storey E building will require similar masonry treatment over time, Bluewater Health said. The initial phase completed this year was paid for through health infrastructure renewal funding.
| Building | Year | Storeys | Current use / note | Treatment status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Street (former St. Joseph’s) | 1944 | 7 | Administration, mental health services | Phase 1 completed (brick sealing, window caulking) |
| E building | Late 1950s | 6 | Planned addictions hub | Needs similar treatment; future phases planned |
Next steps and local implications
- Bluewater Health plans to continue sealing the remainder of the vintage brickwork as funding becomes available.
- Future phases will address additional masonry and perimeter sealant work to limit water damage and extend the buildings’ service life.
- The E building’s planned redevelopment into an addictions hub is proceeding alongside required maintenance, but completion of exterior restoration depends on infrastructure funding timing.
Officials say addressing porous brick and failing grout now is intended to prevent more extensive and costly repairs later, and to protect interior spaces that support administration, mental health and upcoming addiction services on the Sarnia campus.
