The hospital added a small expansion in 1890, however it was clear that the building would not be adequate for the city's long-term needs. As Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee passed in 1897, the English monarch requested that all memorials of the event be dedicated to humanitarian purposes. The Queen's request and popularity presented an opportunity for the city to justify the cost of expanding the hospital. Throughout 1897–8, the City Council, local doctors, and public groups debated plans for construction of an expansion to the London General Hospital, or construction of a new hospital, and whether to expand on the current site or obtain land for a new hospital. In June 1898, after an election and much debate, City Council approved construction of a new 140-bed facility on the same site, at a cost of $70,000, with a plan to convert the existing hospital to a nurses' residence. Victoria Hospital officially opened on November 16, 1899. Rooms in the new hospital's private ward were furnished by local benefactors, while public wards were furnished by a last-minute bulk purchase by the Hospital Trust from local factories. Due to lack of funds, the conversion of the old hospital was postponed indefinitely. See also Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, which shares facilities with Victoria Hospital Lawson Health Research Institute References External links History of LHSC - lhsc.on.ca Growing to Serve-- : a history of Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario Teaching hospitals in Canada Hospital buildings completed in 1899 Hospitals established in 1875 Heliports in Ontario Certified airports in Ontario 1875 establishments in Ontario Hospitals in London, Ontario