March 21, 2000
(Health and Community Services)

The following statement was issued today by Roger Grimes, Minister of Health and Community Services. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Today I am pleased to inform the House that Government is providing $1.5 million in provincial funding towards construction of a new $3.5 million, 30-bed Janeway Hostel.

This facility will be located near the new Janeway Hospital which is currently under construction at the Health Sciences Complex in St. John's and will replace the services currently provided by the existing hostel at Pleasantville.

The remaining $2 million of the estimated construction costs of this new hostel will be offset through fund-raising initiatives and revenue from room rentals. The hostel is expected to be operational one year after construction commences. Meanwhile, work is progressing on schedule at the new Janeway Hospital and it's slated to be officially opened this coming September.

We believe it is important for parents and families to be close to their children while they are hospitalized. The hostel will provide families with both a place to stay and a level of comfort in knowing they are near their children while they receive treatment.

This project is another example of this government's commitment to quality health care services for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

2000 03 21                                                     2:50 p.m.