TORONTO-The start of construction of Quinte Health Care Bellville General is on track to begin this month with the announcement that M. Sullivan & Son Limited and its partners have achieved financial close, which signals that the project contracts and financing are finalized for Phase I of the hospital's redevelopment.

“A tremendous milestone was reached today -- a milestone which paves the way for improved access to health care in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties,” said Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan. “The final contract is signed demonstrating that the McGuinty Government has delivered on its commitment to the community.” 

“The redeveloped hospital in Belleville will meet the needs of a growing population and provide a modern facility for local residents,” said Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman.  “By investing in hospitals, we are helping to ensure that first class health services are available to all Ontarians.”

The deal commits M. Sullivan & Son Limited to build and finance the hospital's expansion and renovation project.  The cost of the contract is $72.2 million, which will be paid only when construction is completed.  The total project budget, which includes other costs related to the project such as furniture, equipment, permits, architectural and engineering fees, and transaction costs, will be released as part of a Value for Money (VFM) report.  The VFM report, which will be posted on Infrastructure Ontario's website, along with the project contract, within six months of financial close, provides an assessment of the benefits or value derived using AFP as compared to a traditional procurement model.

Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2007 and is expected to be completed in early 2010. 

Redevelopment of Quinte Health Care includes:  

  • construction of a new wing at the Belleville site 
  • expansion of the complex continuing care and rehabilitation units
  • a small addition to expand the intensive care unit 
  • redeveloping support services such as food services 
  • new facilities for the Children's Treatment Centre 
  • an increase in overall hospital capacity of 77 beds 

In future phases, Quinte Health Care plans to renovate and redevelop the emergency department, hospital laboratory, surgical suites and medical and mental health units at Quinte Health Care Belleville General.

“This investment will help Quinte Health Care to better meet the health care needs of our community,” said Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky, also MPP for Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington.

“The Quinte Health Care project demonstrates our government's commitment to providing the resources and infrastructure to serve the health care needs of our community,” said Ernie Parsons, MPP for Prince Edward-Hastings.

“This agreement ensures that the hospital is built to the highest standards in the agreed timeframe for a fixed price,” said Lloyd Churchill, Chair, Board of Directors, Quinte Health Care. “I truly thank members of our community, hospital staff, and the government for their strong commitment and support, which made this project possible.”

Infrastructure Ontario will work with Quinte Health Care to redevelop the hospital, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.  Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget.

This project is guided by principles outlined in the Province's Building a Better Tomorrow policy framework, which ensures public ownership of core assets such as hospitals, schools, and water and wastewater facilities.  The Quinte Health Care project is one of many infrastructure projects being upgraded and modernized under ReNew Ontario, the government's five-year, $30-billion plus public infrastructure investment plan. 

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca  for more information. 

Contacts: 

Amy Tang 
Minister's Office 
Public Infrastructure Renewal
416-325-4048 

Jennifer Sclisizzi 
Infrastructure Ontario 
416 325-7409

Susan Rowe 
Quinte Health Care 
613-969-7400 ext. 2331