The official opposition feels it’s time for the Saskatchewan Party government to create more parking at the Regina General Hospital.

With a provincial election scheduled this year, the Saskatchewan NDP say if the government doesn’t find their own solution, then they have an answer to the problem.

The provincial NDP announced they are committed to building a parkade at RGH if an NDP government is formed following the Saskatchewan election.

Health critic Vicki Mowat said the Sask. Party hasn’t done enough to address a growing health infrastructure deficit.

“The cost of needed repairs in health infrastructure has ballooned to $3.3 billion. So we see this as an essential step in being able to put people first,” stated Mowat.

During Tuesday’s announcement, Mowat and Regina Douglas Park MLA Nicole Sarauer feel the project is necessary as concerns keep coming in from hospital staff and residents that want something done about the parking situation.

Mowat said it’s a problem the government hasn’t fixed for years now.

“After midnight walking in the dark, feeling a little bit unsafe and feeling uncomfortable about the possibilities of vandalism. We know there are wait lists up to 11 years for staff to be able to get access to parking here.”

Speaking on behalf of what she has heard from residents in her constituency, Sarauer said she has received numerous complaints from homeowners about parking surrounding the hospital.

“We hear concerns about accessibility to the hospital I’d say about several times a month of folks who come into the office,” shared Sarauer.

“In particular, we have been working with the Heritage Community Association on this issue who has been fielding concerns about the lack of accessibility, too.”

The last estimates suggest the project would cost around $40 million. Mowat added an assessment would have to be completed to see how many parking spots would be required for the parkade.

In 2013, the NDP received an estimate that 600 parking spots would be required.