HAY RIVER - In April of 2010 – the last time the GNWT updated Hay River town council on plans for a new hospital in the community – the project was only a proposal.

Daniel Adam: GNWT official says proposal for new hospital in Hay River has become a real project. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

On Jan. 24, council was told the proposal has become a real project.

That was the message from Daniel Adam, manager of facility planning with the Department of Public Works and Services.

"I want to report to you that the planning study was completed in September of last year and presented to the GNWT peer review committee," he told council. "It was approved and was submitted to the legislative assembly in the fall session and were approved as a project."

The new hospital will be built on the Sundog commercial area on Highway 2, across the railway tracks from the Super A grocery store. A preliminary design for that site was prepared as part of the planning study.

As of April 1, money will be available in the 2011-2012 fiscal year to start work, beginning with project design.

"It will be most of the year for design and then two or three years of construction, with significant construction activity beginning next year," Adam said.

By this coming fall, some work is expected on constructing an access road from the Industrial Area

The target for completion of the overall project is 2015.

The GNWT determined the existing H. H. Williams Memorial Hospital was not worth renovating.

No overall cost estimate for the replacement facility was provided to council.

Adam said the town has clarified it is not in a position to invest in the subdivision development in time for the GNWT to proceed with the hospital project, so the territorial government is going to connect water and sewer to the site.

"We need services to hook up this site within three years," he said.

Adam emphasized the new hospital in a corner of the Sundog area will not prevent the town from proceeding with its long-term plan for industrial, commercial and residential lots on the rest of the site.

The GNWT representative also requested the town's support in a number of areas, such as confirmation of council's approval of the Sundog site for the hospital.

"With that, we will commission a legal and topographic survey by the GNWT so that a precise site is identified," Adam said, adding it is needed so the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs can begin the process of transferring land from the municipality back to the Commissioner of the NWT.

"It does require that you transfer that site back to the GNWT for $1," he said.

The GNWT is also seeking support for a level crossing over the railway tracks from Highway 2. The cost of that access and another from the Industrial Area will be borne by the GNWT.

The territorial government is also requesting town support for development and building permits.

Mayor Kelly Schofield said the report to council was good news.

"I can assure you that you have the full support of council and we will make this happen along with the GNWT as our partners," Schofield told Adam.

Coun. Kevin Wallington said town council and administration will do whatever is needed to assist the project.

"We certainly don't want to be a roadblock in any way shape or form in terms of helping you guys move this along to the next level," Wallington said.

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