Health Sciences North is very close to finalizing an agreement with Idylwylde Golf and Country Club to purchase some of the club's land in an attempt to alleviate its parking shortage, said the hospital's senior vice-president.
“We're still working on the agreement, but we're very close,” Joe Pilon said, speaking to Northern Life after the hospital's Oct. 8 board of directors meeting.
At this point, it's basically a matter of getting everyone in one room to sign the paperwork, he said.
“It's just a matter of signing it off,” Pilon said.
Idylwylde's membership authorized the club's board back in February to negotiate with the hospital to sell nine acres of land adjoining Health Sciences North's campus.
Health Sciences North CEO Dr. Denis Roy stated at the time he wanted negotiations to be wrapped up in 60 days, a goal that has clearly not been reached.
The two parties have actually been in discussions about the possibility of the hospital purchasing Idylwylde land for more parking for nearly two years.
The hospital originally tried to purchase a small piece of land to build a tiered parking structure, but that idea was scuttled due to costs that could have reached as much as $26 million.
Health Sciences North then decided to instead negotiate with Idylwylde to buy a much bigger piece of land to build a 750-spot surface parking lot.
Pilon said back in January a surface parking lot would cost much less, but had no cost estimates.
