The City of Sarnia has been told it will cost almost $9-million to recover the former Sarnia General Hospital site on Mitton St.
Mississauga-based OHE Consultants estimates the cost of demolition and remediation at $8.84-million.
Mayor Mike Bradley says they're still trying to determine if the city or Bluewater Health is the legal owner.
"If the city is not the owner, it doesn't remove our responsibility to try to help Bluewater Health get the money from the province. I mean, $8-million to $9-million is a significant amount of money. If the court decides we are the owner, then we have a significant issue to deal with."
An Ontario Superior Court of Justice hearing has been set for October 30 to consider ownership.
Pursuing the matter in court will cost a minimum of $30,000 to $40,000.
The city and hospital are co-operating, however, to avoid a protracted and costly legal battle.