Construction Of Montreal's New Shriners Hospital On Hold

Construction equipment will sit idle at the proposed site of the new Shriners hospital at the MUHC's Glen Campus because of the tough economy. Photograph by: Phil Carpenter, Gazette file photo

From The Montreal Gazette:

Construction of a new Shriners Hospital for Children in Montreal has been “put on hold” as the fraternal organization struggles with a multibillion-dollar drop in its endowment fund, The Gazette has learned.

Gene Bracewell, the long-time imperial treasurer of the Shriners, said Tuesday the organization is under pressure to cut costs and as a result does not foresee any new construction.

“We’re looking at consolidating five or six of our hospitals in the States, and so we’re not looking at building anything new,” he said in a phone interview. “Montreal is going to be put on hold until the economy turns around.”

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