HAY RIVER - If all the pieces fall into place, construction of a new hospital in Hay River could be completed by late 2013 or early 2014.

The GNWT is planning to replace the existing hospital in Hay River. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

That was the word from a GNWT delegation that spoke to town council on April 26 to update the community on the proposed project.

Daniel Adam, manager of facility planning with the Department of Public Works and Services, said the existing H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital is not worth renovating.

"It's at the end of its useful life," Adam said. "It can't be salvaged."

The territorial government has zeroed in on a site for a new hospital. It's the vacant Sundog commercial area on the left side of Highway 2, across the railway tracks from the Super A grocery store.

Adam said the government had started with a list of 20 potential sites, but narrowed it down to three – the Sundog area, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) compound further out on Highway 2, and the land where the existing hospital now stands.

Building on the site of the current hospital would have required a phased demolition of the existing building and nearby Woodland Manor, and would have added an extra $3 million to the project.

Adams said the ENR compound is an attractive site because of easy access and the fact it is on Commissioner's land. Drawbacks include it is outside of downtown, it would have required an extension of municipal services and ENR would have had to relocate.

Despite some access and drainage issues, the Sundog site was chosen because it is now a green field and it would cost an estimated $2 million less to build there than at the ENR compound.

Kerry Beauchamp, a facility planning consultant with the Department of Health and Social Services, said a number of things now have to happen so a submission for funding can be made to cabinet in the fall.

"Once it's voted through, we're into design and development," he said, adding the design will take about a year and construction will take at least two years.

Beauchamp said the GNWT and the town should agree to a memorandum of understanding by the end of August on acquiring the land from the town, since the hospital proposal cannot go to cabinet unless the land tenure issue is settled.

In addition, he said all costs have to be identified by the end of July.

There is currently no cost estimate on the project.

Beauchamp also asked the town to improve the railway crossing access to the site of the proposed hospital.

Council members appeared generally pleased by what they heard from the territorial government delegation.

Coun. Kevin Wallington said it was nice to see all the work that has already gone into the project.

As for Mayor Kelly Schofield, he said, "I'm very excited about the site selection."