Hospital project short $3M

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Kassina Ryder

EMC NEWS - The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital has asked Perth council to extend its $51,000 annual commitment by another three years because of a $3-million financial shortfall for its revitalization project.

The town had been allocating $51,000 a year to the hospital's revitalization project, which began construction in 2008. The commitment was scheduled to end in 2012. Funding for the project was split between the province and the communities served by the hospital, said Todd Stepanuik, the hospital's president and chief executive officer. He said the province funded roughly 78 per cent of the project, while the communities were responsible for the remaining 22 per cent.

He said the shortfall is the result of a variety of issues at the Smiths Falls site.

"Those costs are really attributed to a multitude of things, including unforeseen site conditions," he said.

Rock excavation, asbestos removal, roof repairs and an aging HVac system accounted for some of the more major unanticipated costs, Stepanuik said.

The parking lot expansion was also not planned, he added.

"We ended up expanding our parking lot, which wasn't in the original scope of the work," he said.

Stepanuik said the provincial government and community partners were informed of changes along the way.

"We continued to work with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, as well as with all of our partners with regards to the redevelopment," he said.

Stepanuik said the Great War Memorial site benefitted from a Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF) grant for many renovations that have taken place, including new windows, roof repairs and fire alarm systems. This allowed much of the revitalization project's funding to be used at the Smiths Falls site.

At a committee-of-the-whole meeting on Jan. 17, Coun. Judy Brown said Perth's commitment to the hospital is secure for this year, as the pledge included 2012. She said she was in favour of having Stepanuik and Larry Sparks, chair of the hospital board, come and speak to council about extending Perth's pledge.

"Certainly, the hospital is a critical part of our community," she said. Mayor John Fenik agreed. "I certainly want to make sure we support them however we can," he said.

Stepanuik said even with the shortfall, he is sure funding will be secured. The hospital is also looking for new donors, he added. "We have every confidence that we'll be able to secure those funds in quick order," he said.

Stepanuik also said the project is still scheduled to be completed this spring. Once finished, he said the facility will be one of the most modern, state-of-the-art hospitals in Ontario.

"We're very much looking forward to this hospital continuing to be a leader, not only in the region, but in the province."

kassina.ryder@perthcourier.com