Mega-hospital planning needs phase-two approval

Windsor city councillors and their county counterparts wasted little time informing the Ontario government they want a new mega-hospital.

Both Windsor Mayor DrewDilkensandEssexCounty Warden TomBainsigned a letter Tuesday, telling the province the region is ready for the next phase of planning for the proposed $2-billionhospital.

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The letter, which was sent to Health Minister Eric Hoskins, boasts about the city and the county's resounding commitment to paying for their share of the cost.

"The message from our community is clear: We are ready to move to the next phase of this capital planning project that will serve our region for decades to come," the letter states.

City and county councillors agreed to split the $200 million cost for the local portion of the funding. With that component secured, officials now have to wait for the ministry's approval to move to phase two.

Even if the province gives a thumbs up for phase two of mega-hospital planning, there arestill two or three years of work ahead before getting anywhere near construction, saidWinsdorRegional Hospital CEO David Musyj.

"We have a lot of work to do over the next two or three years," he said.