Diodati hoping new hospital will open in the next 57 years

A new hospital in Niagara's south end is 100 percent a reality, but it will take time.

That's the word from the Mayor of Niagara Falls Jim Diodati who is responding to a comment made by an NHS official about the timeline for a new hospital.

The Vice President of Finance for the NHS who says South Niagara hospitals need to last another seven years before a new hospital is built to replace them.

Angela Zangari says although the province including funding for a new hospital to serve the southern tier in this years budget, it will be at least seven years before it becomes a reality.

And she admits with a provincial election less than a year away, the new hospital could be even further away than that.

Diodati tells CKTB's Tom McConnell it will take between 5-7 years before the new hospital in Niagara Falls opens its doors, but they will push for the lower end of that timeframe.

Diodati says he doesn't agree with the 7 year date and it seems that Niagara Health officials are playing it safe.

He says the 7 year timeframe is more of a "plan C" date, while city officials continue to push for the hospital to open as soon as possible.