NLIS 2
August 31, 2005
(Transportation and Works)
 

Grace Hospital to receive environmental remediation

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced that environmental remediation will be carried out on portions of the former Grace Hospital. It was previously announced that government would be completing this work and now a contract has been awarded.

Power Vac Services / Enviro Clean (NFLD) Limited, Mount Pearl, has been awarded a contract valued at $1.5 million to perform an environmental remediation of the 1920s and 1950s portions of the former hospital. This will include a removal of asbestos.

Minister Rideout said, �When the details of Budget 2005 were announced, $5.4 million was allocated for demolition of buildings including the environmental remediation of portions of the Grace. With the award of the contract, we are now in the position to follow through on this commitment.�

The minister added that following the environmental remediation process, these portions of the hospital will be subsequently demolished.

�The 1920s and 1950s portions of the hospital are in no condition to be further developed. They are not economically viable for re-use. Our utmost concerns are the safety of the public and the protection of our environment. As such, government will proceed to demolish these portions following the environmental remediation procedure, in order to eliminate the heating costs currently associated with the building, in the interest of wisely managing public monies.�

The minister says that tenders for completion of the demolition of these portions of the former hospital will be called in the coming weeks.

Minister Rideout said, �Government cannot pursue any other options for the future of the remaining portion of the Grace Hospital until the environmental remediation and demolition of the 1920s and 1950s sections have been addressed. To that end, I am pleased that we are now in the position to carry out this work.

�The future of the remaining portion of the former hospital is still under review and government is still consulting with all stakeholders,� said Minister Rideout. �A further announcement will be made when details are finalized.�

The environmental remediation process will begin in the next couple of weeks and it is anticipated that it will be complete by the end of November.

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403

2005 08 31                      2:25 p.m.


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