March 21, 2000
(Health and Community Services)

Government approves $3.5 million Janeway Hostel

Roger Grimes, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today $1.5 million in provincial government funding towards the construction of a new $3.5 million, 30-bed Janeway Hostel.

The Janeway Child Health and Rehabilitation Centre, the provincial children�s referral hospital in St. John�s currently offers short-term accommodations for children and their families in a hostel adjacent to the present site. The services provided by this hostel have proven invaluable especially to families who have to travel from outside the capital region to receive health care for their children.

Later this year, the existing Janeway hospital will move to its new location, which is nearing completion at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John�s.

Minister Grimes said: "It is important for parents and families to be close to their children while they are hospitalized. The hostel provides families with both a place to stay and a level of comfort in knowing they are near their children while they receive treatment. The new hostel will be built adjacent to the new facility to minimize transportation and other inconveniences for the children and their families."

"Some time ago, we reassured parents that we are committed to developing a hostel for families on the same site as the new Janeway," said Elizabeth Davis, CEO of the Health Care Corporation of St. John�s. "This funding commitment from our provincial government is especially welcome and will go a long way towards supporting our fundraising efforts."

The estimated cost of the new 30-bed hostel is about $3.5 million. The difference between the provincial government $1.5 million funding of the hostel and the total cost of construction will be offset through fund-raising initiatives and revenue from room rentals.

The new hostel will replace the services currently provided by the existing hostel in Pleasantville. It is expected to be open within a year of construction start.

Media contact:

Karen McCarthy, Communications, (709) 729-6670
Carl Cooper, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

2000 03 21                                                         12:10 p.m.