Many participants in the harness racing industry have been to or are familiar with the Agriplex at the Western Fair District as being a site for horse sales. Now the London, Ont. facility is joining the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) continues to prepare for a potential influx of patients requiring care for COVID-19, work has begun to transform the Western Fair District Agriplex into a temporary off-site hospital," said the London Health Sciences Centre in a statement on Friday (April 3). "This work is being undertaken in partnership with the Western Fair District and the City of London and is part of the south west Ontario region’s pandemic response plan.

"This facility will be an extension of LHSC under the Public Hospitals Act, and will initially be used as a transfer facility for patients who are recovering from COVID-19, but not yet well enough to be discharged home. LHSC will open a 180 bed unit with the ability to expand the facility to 500 beds."

The Agriplex is currently being prepared for readiness but will only be activated as a field hospital if needed.