The provincial government is telling the Saskatchewan Health Authority to look into the feasibility of a privately built, owned and operated parkade at the Regina General Hospital.

For years, staff and visitors at the hospital have complained about a lack of parking and safety around the hospital.

“Parking is a support service, not a direct health care service, so we believe it could be appropriately provided through the private sector,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said. “We know that parking at Regina General Hospital has been an issue for a long time, and we are committed to finding a long-term solution. It’s important that staff and visitors feel safe around the facility and have convenient access to the building.”

More on this is expected in a few months when a decision will be made about further exploring the parkade option with a Request for Proposal being issued for the design and construction and a decision on how to proceed being made by the summer.

NDP leader Ryan Meili is glad to see that something is in the works, but he hopes that if the building is to be privately owned and operated that the parking is fair and affordable for those who need it.  He adds that if a parkade is built that a Saskatchewan companies be in charge of the construction.

Last month, the NDP said if elected in the next provincial election, a parkade would be built.