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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, January 27, 2010 · 2 Inside Opinion............................................6 Auto...............................................10 Artscene.........................................13 Sports.............................................16 Classified.......................................19 Full Delivery: M&M Meats, The Bay, Salvation Army, Shopping News, Sears, Home Depot, Hospital funding survey launched Should the Town of Oakville chip in $200 million to help build the new Oakville hospital? The Town wants area residents to weigh in on that question and is launching a massive consultation campaign to make sure they do. Beginning this week, all Oakville households and businesses will receive a survey asking for an opinion on the $200 million local share funding contribution requested by Halton Healthcare Services. This written survey will be followed by a telephone survey of 600 residents, which will begin on Monday, Feb. 1, and a public meeting on the funding issue, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 11, from 7-9 p.m. Staff will report the results of the public consultation campaign to council on Monday, March 1. "I believe that the proposed new hospital will enhance the quality and scope of health care services provided to our community, and this is key to the health and well-being of our citizens," said Mayor Rob Burton. "At the same time, financing a $200-million contribution to the hospital is a significant decision, and we want to hear the public's views on this issue." The Province of Ontario has agreed to fund 90 per cent of the cost of the hospital's construction with the hospital responsible for funding the remaining 10 per cent of the construction costs and 100 per cent of the furnishings and medical equipment costs. The hospital must also pay 100 per cent of construction costs for retail space, cafeteria and future expansion space. In light of this, Halton Healthcare Services estimates that it requires a total local share of $530 million. The Oakville Hospital Foundation has committed to raising $60 million from donors while hospital revenues are expected to generate an estimated $270 million. Under the proposed funding agreement the Town would begin paying its $200 million portion of the local share costs in 2015. The estimated tax impact of such a funding contribution would begin at $15 per year per $100,000 of assessment in 2015, increasing to $35 per year per $100,000 of assessment over 30 years. While the Town would not have to begin paying until 2015, Halton Healthcare President John Oliver noted the commitment to pay needs to be made now as the hospital must demonstrate that it can pay all of the local share costs before it can tender the project for construction. "The $200-million contribution from the Town of Oakville towards the local share is a crucial step in securing Ministry of Health approval to move our project to the next phase. We are scheduled to tender the project this spring, begin construction in 2011 and open the new hospital in 2015," said Oliver. "As a community, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a state-of-the-art hospital, which will have built-in capacity to expand with Oakville's growing and aging population." For more information on the new Oakville hospital, visit www.newoakvillehospital.com. The hospital funding survey can also be found online at www.oakville.ca. Partial Delivery: Mississauga Booster, Dell Computers, JYSK Bird and Bath, Salvation Army, Staples Business For home delivery & customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Thu., and Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (open for calls only after 5 p.m.) Closed Sat. and Sun. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS call (905) 845-9742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com Oakville's Self-Esteem Team R t: Beginn 2 er D k omeLin in-class s 2 5 hrs H - 10 hrs eekend gs & W Evenin es class siz tools to - Small ractive of inte ged - Use ts enga studen keep Sa 60 all remaining % off TION SIMUL winter clothing ns ar lesso ate in-c priv ick u - 10 hrs ling & p schedu le - Flexib p che&u killed dS ks icible sna xesuio F o - Prp g &le f killed nal & S rofessio - P tors Instruc g trainin n - driver imun labs latio 6 hrs s tio ather - simula rse We - Adve ent effects vironm free en , - Risk ighway ed on h ing - Focus riv & city d urban N LESSO IN-CAR 1131 Nottinghill Gate (Glen Abbey) 905-827-2271 Watch Us Fashions FEBRUARY 16TH COURSE IS FOR STUDENTS ON READING WEEK! · February, 9 (Tuesday 6:00pm-8:15pm Thursday 6:00pm-9:15pm) Tuesday and Thursday Evenings (4 Weeks) · February, 16, 17, 18, 19 (9:30am-3:30pm) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday For course information: www.drivewiseoakville.com info@drivewiseoakville.com 905.845.7200