Perth-Andover hospital gets $7.65M for flood repair, upgrades

The flood-damaged Hotel-Dieu of St. Joseph Hospital in Perth-Andover will receive $7.65 million worth of restoration and repairs, the provincial government announced Thursday.

A flood-prone section of the hospital that has been condemned since a flood in 2012 will be demolished as part of the work.

In addition, a new essential services building will be constructed on higher ground and equipped.

"This significant investment inHotel-Dieuof St. Joseph Hospital will ensure safe and reliable health care access in the Upper River Valley for years to come," Premier Brian Gallant said in a news release announcing the project.

• Perth-Andover hospital's extended closure adds stress
• Patients return to Perth-Andover hospital
• Perth-Andover hospital reopens after flood threat

The province says the new building will:

• Minimize the risk of flooding of the utilities
• Minimize the risk of the hospital needing to be evacuated during flooding
• Minimize the risk of injury or death
• Upgrade systems that have shortened life expectancy because ofexposure to water, dampness and humidity
• Reduce the travel distance for utilities and result in new mechanical piping

In 2012, the hospital was evacuated because of flooding and it was almost three months before patients were taken back to the building.

The province will seek to recover costs through a federal disaster mitigation program once the project is completed.

The federal government provided an interim payment of $5 million for overall repairs following the 2012 flood.