> Grimsby Council ignores Integrity Commissioner’s advice /Pg 4 > Resident told lawn sign infringed on Elections Act Pg 5 > Hat Trick Hockey off and running Pg 6-7 > Jordan reno budget referred to staff Pg 9 Thursday, February 4, 2021 Vol. 9 Issue 42
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WLMH to Stage 3 with $15 million more in support By Mike Williscraft NewsNow A step up to Stage 3 of the hospital planning process and an additional $15 million in provincial government support is welcomed news for all involved with West Lincoln Memorial Hospital. In an announcement Tuesday, Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff said the Ministry of Health has approved the Stage 2 Functional Program submission, which includes: • A modern, up to date facility with capacity for a total of 61 beds; • A larger, 24/7 emergency department that will provide more space for staff and patients;
• Maternal and newborn services to support highquality care during labour and birth; • Modern surgical suites to deliver care with the best technology available; and • Outpatient care services including minor surgical procedures such as endoscopies. “A new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital is right around the corner,” said Oosterhoff. To support the transition to Stage 3, the $15 million announced will work on planning design and consulting services,” said Bart DeVries, redevelopment director, Hamilton Health Sciences. Kelly Campbell, vice-president, HHS Corporate Services and Capital Development, said with each
step more detail is ironed out and “each level gives a more accurate cost estimate,” adding the shovels are expected to be in the ground in June 2022 with about two years for the project to be complete. All are still working with the total cost estimate of $200 million for the build. At Grimsby council Monday night, Mayor Jeff Jordan noted Health Minister Christine Elliott was surprised to hear $50 million of the $60 million local share of the project has already been raised. “She was very impressed that level of support had been obtained,” confirmed Oosterhoff, adding the entire community is part of that success.
DSBN woes not in Grimsby council’s jurisdiction By Mike Williscraft NewsNow A notice of motion at Grimsby council to have the new Niagara West super school cost overruns investigated and for District School Board of Niagara investigate alternatives to keep current high schools open was voted down Monday. Coun. Dave Sharpe brought the notion of motion forward due to
concerns with the process to date, what he believes are low-balled cost-estimates and an overall concern about whether there was a need for the newschool option at all. Sharpe, a construction estimator by trade, went into a detailed outline of why he is confident the current cost estimate to build the new school - $42.4 million - is out of whack.
Since it has been learned the initial $5 million for site acquisition and preparation for the Hwy. 8 site near Durham Road ballooned to a $17.4 million spend to remove contaminated soil, considerable attention has been paid to the project. Sharpe, who said the only way to keep costs close to the original See COSTS, Page 3
Four-year-old killed in sled/truck accident A four-year-old boy has died as a result of a traffic accident on Greenlane Road in Beamsville Monday evening. At 4:15 p.m. police responded to a call to find the boy in critical condition. Investigation showed the boy had been injured after the snow sled he was riding entered the road way and he was struck by a passing pickup truck. The child was transported to a local hospital. Despite the efforts of all
the emergency and medical personnel on scene and at the hospital, the child died from his injuries. Greenlane Road was closed so that detectives from the NRPS Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Forensic Services Unit could conduct an investigation. The identity of the child is not being released. Investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 905688-4111, ext. 1009089.
Family outing
The Ploski’s - (Back, L to R) Luca, 10; Aleksandra, 12; Daniela, 13, and; Maksym, 7, tried their luck to beat Dad, Luke (aka the goaltender) - booked the Grimsby outdoor rink to get in some fun and exercise last month. To check on availability for your socially distanced family event or book ice time at the outdoor rink, contact recreation services. Call 905-945-1288 from Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.