(VOCM News)
The provincial government is dropping a number of planned infrastructure projects, while pausing and reassessing others.
Infrastructure Minister Barry Petten today announced that the previous government’s plans for a new acute care hospital, a sport and well-being dome, and a mid-size theatre are being dropped.
Then-premier Andrew Furey at the site of the new acute care hospital in Kenmount Crossing in November 2024 (VOCM News)
Meanwhile, St. Clare’s hospital will be assessed to extend the life of the century-old facility.
Minister says cost of new acute-care hospital too high
Petten claims the cost to build the hospital on Kenmount Road would have exceeded $10-billion.
“We will not proceed with the health care campus-style facility at Kenmont Crossing that could cost the people of our province over $10 billion. It is clear that this kind of facility is far beyond our ability to pay,” he told reporters
The province is reassessing a previously-announced downtown health and well-being centre planned for the site of the old Grace Hospital, and the redevelopment of the Janeway will be rescoped.
Meanwhile, government is planning to develop an urgent care centre in CBS, and says it will work with the federal government to access the Health Infrastructure Fund for necessary projects.