AS THE FINAL PLANS ARE BEING PUT IN PLACE FOR KINGSTON'S NEWEST HOSPITAL, FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT IS BEING QUESTIONED.

THE KINGSTONHEALTH COALITION SAYS THE BUILDING COULD END UP COSTING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE THAN NECESSARY

NEWSWATCH'S HEATHER BUTTS HAS MORE.

THE SOIL HAS BEEN TESTED -- AND THE PLANS SKETCHED.

CONSTRUCTION

ONA

NEW HOSPITAL ON KING STREET WEST IS SET TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR.

BUT

THE KINGSTON HEALTH COALITION IS RAISING CONCERNS.

THE GROUP SAYS MANY HOSPITALS BUILT USING PRIVATE FUNDS, GO OVER BUDGET.

ROSS SUTHERLAND, KINGSTON HEALTH COALITION

"THE BIGGEST ONE BEING THE WILLIAM OSLER HOSPITAL IN BRAMPTON WHICH THE ONTARIO AUDITOR GENERAL LOOKED AT AND FOUND THAT IT COST 200 MILLION DOLLARS MORE, THAN IF IT HAD BEEN BUILT AS A PUBLIC OPTION."

SUTHERLAND SAYS PRIVATELY FINANCING A PROJECT CAN ADD TO THE COST, BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT CAN BORROW MONEY AT A BETTER RATE.

M-P-P JOHN GERRETSEN SAYS THAT'S TRUE, BUT

THERE IS A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH THEY CAN BORROW.

HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT CAN'T AFFORD TO FRONT EVERY PROJECT

.MPP JOHN GERRETSEN

"SO OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS WE'VE GONE INTO A FAIR NUMBER OF P3 PROJECTS WHERE THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMES UP WITH THE FINANCING, AND THEY GET PAID BACK OVER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEARS."

THE 350 MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY WILL COMBINE MENTAL HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SERVICES CURRENTLY OFFERED AT TWO DIFFERENT SITES.

THE HEALTH COALITION SAYS

IT WANTS A NEW HOSPITAL, IT JUST WANTS THE GOVERNMENT

TO BE RESPONSIBLE, MAKING PATIENT CARE THE TOP PRIORITY.

ROSS SUTHERLAND

"AFTER THE DEBACLE IN BRAMPTON THEY COMMITTED TO MAKING PUBLIC THEIR FIGURES AS TO WHY THIS OPTION, THIS P3

OPTION IS BETTER. AND THEY JUST WON'T DO IT. THEY WON'T BRING FORWARD THOSE FIGURES, WE'VE ASKED THEM AND THEY WON'T DO IT."

GERRETSEN SAYS HE WILL PERSONALLY MAKE SURE THE PROJECT DOESN'T GO OVER BUDGET WHEN THE

CONTRACT IS AWARDED.

HE SAYS IN THE END, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO HIM WHO FRONTS THE MONEY.

AFTER 15 YEARS OF PLANNING, HE JUST WANTS TO SEE IT BUILT.

JOHN GERRETSEN,

"MY MAIN JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PATIENTS THAT HAVE BEEN AT ST MARY'S OF THE LAKE HOSPITAL SOME OF THEM FOR 10 OR 20 YEARS, WHO GET EXCELLENT CARE, ALSO GET IT IN THE BEST FACILITY POSSIBLE"

THE GOVERNMENT HAS JUST SIGNED A 49 YEAR LEASE WITH PROVIDENCE CARE

.

THE CONTRACT TO BUILD THE FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO BE AWARDED IN THE FALL.

HEATHER BUTTS, CKWS NEWSWATCH, KINGSTON.