A simple cost-saving measure that will save $50 million is what prompted the provincial Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) to move forward with a surface parking lot for the new Vaudreuil-Soulanges hospital.

The decision was confirmed by Jade St-Jean in an email sent to Néomédia Vaudreuil-Soulanges on June 9. St-Jean is the Executive Advisor, External Communications, Media and Ministerial Relations for CISSSMO. 

"The decision to go ahead with a surface parking lot rather than an underground or multi-storey building as initially planned will save $50 million," said St-Jean.

"In the context of higher costs in the construction industry, a budget increase of $900 million was needed to keep up with the increases," St-Jean added.

"In order to meet the new $2.6 billion budget, a rigorous optimization exercise was carried out to maintain the project's scope and prioritize the fact that no clinical services would be cut while maintaining the planned schedule," said St-Jean.

"Consequently, a surface parking lot would reduce the cost by $50 million without compromising any hospital services which is why we made this decision," she added, adding she understands the city's disappointment with the change.

The decision to scrap the above-ground and underground parking options did not sit well with Vaudreuil-Dorion municipal officials.

Council criticizes decision

Mayor Guy Pilon and all eight councillors unanimously adopted a resolution during its council meeting on June 5 that asked the MSSS to grant additional funds to build an underground or multi-storey car park at the hospital site.

The seven-page resolution is based on data that shows the provincial government's decision to build a surface parking lot runs counter  to current municipal, regional and provincial environmental policies," said Mayor Guy Pilon.

"We know a multi-storey or underground parking structure is more expensive. However, this is the choice the city made for the construction of our municipal hub. It complies to bylaws and adheres to best practices in sustainable development," said Pilon.

"We also require it for new multi-unit buildings. At the time permits were issued, the government committed itself to develop scenarios for a multi-storey parking project. This about-face is incomprehensible and unacceptable,"  Pilon added.

A contradictory choice?

St-Jean said reducing the environmental impact of the project remains a priority even though about 5.7 hectares of green space will be paved to create 1,869 parking spaces at the hospital site.

"We definitely want to reduce the environmental impact.  Special efforts are being made to significantly reduce heat islands, notably by installing a canopy that will cover 40 per cent of the parking lot surface. This will considerably reduce the temperature and heat island effect, and it's far superior to industry standards," said St-Jean.

Pilon said the decision makes no sense. "Creating a heat island on the hospital site is completely illogical. In 2021, when the government announced an investment for urban greening projects, Health and Social Services Minister Christian Dubé mentioned, and I quote:

"In cities, because of the phenomenon of heat islands and archipelagos, it gets even hotter during heat waves and the health risks are greater. We need more green spaces in our urban environments if we are to act effectively against this danger." 

"In addition, a press release from the same Ministry that announced the  hospital site dated February 1, 2019, emphasized the design criteria would introduce best practices in sustainable development to limit the ecological footprint of the new infrastructure and LEED certification would be part of that criteria," said Pilon.

As planned, the organization is still aiming for LEED certification. Several sustainable development principles have been integrated into the project, including the building's energy performance, choice of materials, active transportation, site layout and integration of a sorting system for waste management. 

"Steps are underway to increase public and active transportation in the area. The priority is to build a 404-bed specialized hospital with all the services necessary to meet the population's healthcare needs and to welcome its first patient in 2026," said St-Jean.