Central Elgin Former Hospital Lands Redevelopment

Over the next several years, Central Elgin is poised for significant new residential and employment growth following a historic investment by the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to establish Volkswagen’s first overseas electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility. The facility, set to open in 2027, will create up to 3,000 direct jobs and as many as 30,000 indirect jobs across the region, including Central Elgin.

The new jobs will drive up demand for housing, making speedy provision of housing a priority. The former hospital lands are well situated to accommodate the bulk of this growth within a new mixed-use community. Fully built out, the new community could almost double the current population of Central Elgin.

To support this economic opportunity, anticipated population growth and the accompanying demand for a full range of housing options, the Municipality of Central Elgin is proactively planning for a complete, mixed-use community that will meet the needs of current and future residents.

About the Project

The Municipality of Central Elgin is planning a new community on the former Psychiatric Hospital Lands - a 168-hectare site with a rare opportunity to build a complete, thriving, and inclusive community.

This future community will:

Provide a range of housing options to support affordability and meet provincial housing targets

Create space for new residents and respond to population and housing pressures connected to regional job growth

Support Central Elgin’s strategic goals of sustainability, affordability, and livability

Include a vibrant main street, parks, community facilities, and cultural heritage features

Where We Are Now

A Vision Statement and Guiding Principles were developed and approved by Council in May 2025 to guide planning for the former Hospital Lands. Building on these, the project team have prepared Draft Policy Directions and a Land Use Plan, which will be presented to Council on September 22, 2025.

View the Draft Policy Directions and Land Use Plan Here

Help Shape the Future of the Former Hospital Lands!

We want to hear from you! We’re seeking input from residents on which parts of the draft directions matter most, why they are important, and ideas for how they could be applied “on the ground”.

Your feedback will help Council and the project team finalize the Policy Directions and Land Use Plan for the Hospital Lands.

Online Survey

If you couldn't attend the open house or prefer to share feedback online, you can still have your say.

Take the Survey

Public Open House - Wednesday, October 8

Thank you to everyone who attended the Open House. The Presentation Boards presented at the Open House can be viewed here: Open House Presentation Boards.

What’s Next?

After the open house and survey close, staff will:

Review and summarize all public and stakeholder feedback

Refine the Draft Policy Directions and Land Use Plan based on community input

Present a finalized Policy Directions and Land Use Plan to Council for consideration in 2026

Community input is a vital part of this process. By participating, you are helping shape a complete community that will serve Central Elgin for generations to come!

Stay tuned to this page for more details and registration links for public engagement opportunities, which will be added here as they become available.