Sudbury hospital unveils 25-year plan

Health Sciences North expects to have a lot less parking lots and a lot more buildings 25 years from now.

The Sudbury hospital is drawing up a long-range plan for the provincial government. It foresees six new buildings, including a parking garage, pediatric centre, research tower and mental health building.

Joe Pilon, chief operating officer at Health Sciences North, said the northeast Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) will assess the plans.

"What they want to make sure is that we don't build something now and then 10 years from now say, we made a mistake," he said.

"They want to know we've got a plan for our whole property over the next 25 years, and that when we build something here, there's still property left to build something else we're planning."

Pilon said the LHIN will look at the plans from every hospital in Northeastern Ontario. The LHIN will then decide which projects are most important for all patients in the region.

Pilon noted the plan would see mental health programs move from the old Algoma hospital. But he added the Memorial site may still be needed 25 years from now.

Currently Health Sciences North has been expanding out from its main south end property. Employees can now park at a new lot on the other side of Paris Street. The hospital is also looking at purchasing some land from the neighboring Idylwylde Golf and Country Club.