Craighead is an alternative for a township-owned Fergus farmhouse used to house doctors FERGUS — Moving day is approaching for some healthcare professionals temporarily housed by the township in Fergus. Centre Wellington council has officially approved the temporary use of 495 Union St., known as Craighead Cottage, to house healthcare professionals while the new Operations Centre at 965 Gartshore St. in Fergus is constructed. Approved at a council meeting Monday afternoon, CAO Dan Wilson said moving the healthcare professionals to Craighead Cottage is required because the current location used to house them, the Gartshore Farmhouse located on the new Operations Centre lands, will likely be disrupted by construction. The Gartshore Farmhouse was renovated into an accommodation space for healthcare professionals in April 2023 and housed 58 people at the property in 2024. "The demand for nurses, primary care, emergency department physicians, hospitalists, and general surgeons is extremely high at Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH)," said Wilson, in the report. "By providing a location for healthcare professionals' accommodation, GMCH can remain competitive with what other communities offer potential recruits and provide the best experience possible when working in our township." Wilson said the only change beyond location is that Craighead Cottage has three rooms, whereas the Gartshore Farmhouse has four. The transition can't begin until renovations are complete at Craighead Cottage, which is anticipated to occur between May and September. A Georgian-style cottage on the township's heritage registry, Craighead Cottage was constructed around 1842 for two Scottish settlers and is currently in poor condition, which is why the township recently issued a tender to restore the building to its "original constructed capacity." The project is anticipated to cost $800,000, with $450,000 allocated towards the project in 2025. Regarding both properties' long-term use, Wilson said that it is undecided and a report will come forward to council at a future date. Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.