 | E-mail this story |  | Write letter to editor |  | Order a classified ad |
| E-mail this story | | Write letter to editor | | Order a classified ad |
 Dennis Cleaver, (right) executive director of Stanton Health Board, and chair Larry Elkin told council hospital needs city land or they will have to find a larger site for expansion. - Michelle DaCruz/NNSL photo |
Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services
But some councillors say they may not be able to wait for Stanton to come up with firm plans for the land.
Health officials met with city council Tuesday to outline their plans for property between the hospital and McDonald's.
The 1.78-hectare lot is zoned commercial and valued at $744,000. Council had hoped to sell the land to decrease its land development fund deficit.
Stanton executive director Dennis Cleaver said the current hospital site, 9.86 hectares, is not large enough to sustain future growth. Expansion would require the hospital to move to its fifth location since 1937 if it can't secure the city lot.
Hospital officials hope to build an integrated health sciences centre that will house both primary and tertiary services over the next two decades. Plans include a cardiac rehabilitation program, a fetal assessment unit, full-time gerontology program, an enhanced cancer care centre and other services.
Allowing the hospital to expand onto the lot would require a zoning change.
Larry Elkin, chair of Stanton Regional Health Board, said a development plan is expected to be complete in the next two years.
Councillors concerned
Coun. Ben McDonald said waiting two years for development is unreasonable.
"Taxpayers bear the brunt of the cost of waiting. We are losing interest on the property," said McDonald.
The city raised the issue of utilizing undeveloped property behind the hospital.
Cleaver said that land could accommodate a one-storey building to house storage or biomedical services.
Coun. Robert Hawkins explained the city needs a solid reason to carry the land because interest from independent developers is increasing.
"We have people banging on our doors and waving cheques. Keep that in mind," said Hawkins.
Council promised the hospital they would hold off making a decision until May 31, at which time they could sell the land, or issue a request for tenders.
