Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Just a Countertop SELL-INSTALL-DELIVERY 905-569-8900 3375 Laird Rd. Unit 2, Mississauga. PRINTER EMPTY? REFILL AND SAVE UP TO 60% Healthy meals Artscene FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2010 Upper Oakville Shopping Centre 905-842-5600 www.thinkrefill.ca refill A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 48 No. 38 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" 56 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) Shhh New deal still no deal say hospital opponents By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER QUIET TIME: Even a hop-a-thon needs a time out. Kristina Guatto, Jamie Blondin and Julie Guatto tell their fellow classmates to be quiet during West Oak Preschool's annual hop-a-thon for muscular dystrophy. The 80 children at the preschool at St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre on Dundas Street, raised about $1,328 during the hop-a-thon. Despite claims made by Town staff that the majority of Oakville residents want a new hospital, those who have a problem with the Town making a $200-million contribution towards it are continuing to make themselves heard. Councillors listened to several of these residents Wednesday night during a special session of council, which was held to give officials the opportunity to collect information and hear feedback regarding the hospital issue. The meeting began Tuesday, continued Wednesday and featured a report in which Town staff supported the $200-million contribution provided it was restructured into manageable amounts including a $130-million payment that would be due when the hospital is substantially complete at the Third Line and Dundas Street location in 2015. Another $40-million portion would be used to fund the life cycle costs of the hospital over a "We're not just a silent partner in this, we're a blind partner. That's my perception of this." John Kay 30-year concession period. Another $30-million payment will only be considered at the time of the project's financial close as neither Town CAO Ray Green nor Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) expect that this money will be needed. Green said staff will look into ways to minimize the borrowing of money for these payments, which could include using money from the sale of Blink Communications and possibly selling other Town assets. For mayoral candidate John Kay the deal is still not good enough. Kay said the hospital deal is akin to a resident considering an investment, but who is not provided with the drawings, specs, and See Meeting page 7 for 36 mths.