The Saskatchewan government says it will put up another $20 million to add beds to the yet-to-be-built children's hospital.

Health Minister Dustin Duncan says the extra money will increase the number of beds by 24 to 176.

He says the investment will bring the total cost of the hospital to $235.5 million.

The government put a hold on design plans earlier this month after it was determined the hospital was too small to accommodate Saskatchewan's expected population growth.

The new expansion design will delay construction by about five months.

The province expects to break ground in September and the hospital is scheduled to open in 2017.