January 27, 2005

Shriner’s hospital committee touring possible host cities

OTTAWA

The three-way battle for a new Shriner’s hospital is heating up now that all contenders have proven themselves to be viable options.

“I think the City of Ottawa (is) on a level playing field. You’re in the ball game. You’re back there with Montreal and London (Ont.),” Gene Bracewell, Shriners selection committee chairman, said Monday.

Taking care not to show any favouritism before the end of their fact-finding mission, which includes visits to each of three proposed sites this week, Bracewell noted the issues that nearly put Montreal and Ottawa out of the running appear to have been resolved.

Home to Canada’s only Shriner’s hospital since 1925, Montreal was the likely option until an impasse with the Quebec government over expanding or relocating led the organization to explore other cities.

During a visit to Montreal on Monday morning, Bracewell said Quebec promised that the preferred west Montreal Glen Yard site would be decontaminated and certified by the environment ministry by the end of the year. He also noted concerns about elective surgeries at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario’s app- eared to have been a misunderstanding.

The committee is expected to deliberate the pros and cons of each site and will make final recommendations to the joint board of directors in April.

A final decision is expected during the organization’s Baltimore convention in July.

The Canadian Press

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