Iqaluit (Sep 15/03) - After five years of waiting, Nunavut is one step closer to the territorial government's goal of building a new regional hospital in Iqaluit.

Nunavut MLAs gathered at the site of the new hospital for a ground breaking ceremony, Sept. 9. In attendance were Ed Picco, Minister of Health and Social Services; Premier Paul Okalik, Hunter Tootoo, MLA for Iqaluit Centre; Enoki Irqittuq, MLA for Amittuq; Olayuk Akesuk, MLA for South Baffin and Peter Keenainak, from Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.

"We are fully committed to finishing this project," said Premier Paul Okalik.

"The new hospital will increase capacity and it will be able to offer more programs and health services for the people of Nunavut."

The construction project was first launched in 1998 but there were a number of delays right from the beginning.

Evidence of contaminated soil on the site caused the latest setback, which had to be removed from the site. Now that the soil has been removed the territorial government are able to move forward with site work. The hospital will cost $45.9 million and is a joint venture between the territorial government and the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation. The work is scheduled to be completed in 2006.

Picco, said the new Qikiqtani Hospital will be able to meet the current needs of the health care system.

"You only have to spend a night in our current facility to know that it's not up to standards," he said. "It would cost over $18 million to upgrade the hospital. It's not worth it. The people of Nunavut deserve better."

Tootoo said staff at the hospital will likely be relieved now that work has begun anew. "It's been a long struggle to get to where we are today," he said. "Staff at the Baffin Regional Hospital are hopeful the project won't be delayed any longer.

Roxanne Stuckless, the hospital's executive director, said that the existing facility is over 40 years-old and has only been renovated once in all that time.

"We definitely need a new facility," she said. "We're feeling pretty confident that things will go ahead as planned."

The hospital is currently making a wish list of some of the items they would like see brought into the new hospital. One of them would be new x-ray equipment.

Stuckless said the new hospital will have 35 beds. They will be looking at hiring more staff.

Crews will be working at the site, preparing foundations and developing the land, for the next few weeks to prepare for most of the construction, which will start next spring.