Bobbett says new hospital could lead to regional water solution

By Mark Squibb

Paradise Mayor Dan Bobbett says that the announcement of a new hospital just outside his community’s boundary may provide an opportunity for the Town to ask regional partners to shoulder some of the burden of installing new water and sewer infrastructure.

Bobbett said he attended the provincial government’s announcement of a new health care facility for Kenmount Crossing, a commercial park just outside Paradise that fronts onto Kenmount Road, on November 4, and noted the Town has a tender let for a water solution for areas across Paradise, including nearby Elizabeth Park.

“I am proposing tonight that we reach out to our neighbouring municipalities and look at maybe a regional approach where the hospital is proposed,” said Bobbett. “There is no municipal water and sewer system in place, and it’s probably a good opportunity to partner with out regional municipalities to work on this one together, because a possible water tower or water solution in that area would service the newly announced hospital and also work well for us and neighbouring municipalities.”

Bobbett suggested the Town pen a letter to regional partners, as well as the Province, to suggest tackling the problem as a region.

Although a formal vote wasn’t cast, council was in favour of the idea.

Bobbett also noted that during that news conference, Premier Andrew Furey made an allusion to a possible connection from the facility to the Outer Ring Road.

Bobbett said that road may prove to be another access point for Paradise, and he had spoken with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Fred Hutton, about the matter. 

Councillor Larry Vaters added that he hopes a new interchange may help relieve congestion along Topsail Road.

“I know that that won’t be tomorrow, but I do hope that this is the start of something positive for Paradise,” said Vaters.

The new facility is set to replace the century-old St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital.