BARRIE - The redevelopment of Royal Victoria Hospital has reached another key milestone today with the release of a request for proposals (RFP) to build and finance the hospital's Phase I Expansion project, which includes the addition of the Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre. 

The release of the RFP is one of the last stages in the procurement process, bringing the start of the hospital's expansion one step closer.

The Royal Victoria Hospital Phase I Expansion Project will nearly double the size of the existing hospital. The new regional cancer centre will provide comprehensive care to cancer patients throughout Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka, and will log more than 60,000 patient visits in its first year of operation alone. 
Highlights of the Royal Victoria Hospital project include: 

  • creation of the Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre; 
  • capacity for 101 additional inpatient beds; 
  • an expanded Emergency Department; 
  • an expanded Laboratory; 
  • an expanded Diagnostic Imaging Department; 
  • two additional Operating Rooms; and 
  • a dedicated Coronary Care Unit. 

“By rebuilding Ontario's hospitals and long-term care facilities, we are enhancing the quality of life and the quality of care for families throughout the province,” said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. “This project is part of ReNew Ontario, the McGuinty government's $30-billion plus infrastructure investment plan to modernize public infrastructure while ensuring value for taxpayer dollars.” 

“This expansion is an essential part of the government's commitment to renew hospitals,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “Such projects will help lower wait times and improve access to quality family health care for all. Once complete, area residents will be able to get the care they need, when they need it, close to home.”

The following building teams were pre-qualified through a request for qualifications issued in October 2007 and have been invited to bid on the project: 

  • Bondfield Construction 
  • Carillion Canada Inc. 
  • EllisDon Corporation 
  • PCL 
  • Vanbots 

These teams have the construction, operational and financial capacity required to undertake a project of this size and complexity. Once submissions to the RFP are received and reviewed, a winning team will be selected in early 2009, with construction expected to begin shortly thereafter.

“The expanded hospital and cancer centre will mean better health care for our community,” said Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll. “Today's announcement demonstrates our government's commitment to providing the resources and infrastructure that will address the region's health care needs.”

“The extraordinary support of the province and the people of our community is making the dream of an expanded Royal Victoria Hospital a reality,” said Janice Skot, President and CEO of Royal Victoria Hospital. “This milestone means we're one step closer to bringing care closer to home for patients across our region.”

A copy of the RFP is available on line at www.infrastructureontario.ca.

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Royal Victoria Hospital 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.

The project is guided by the principles outlined in the province's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, which ensures public ownership of core assets such as hospitals, schools, and water and wastewater facilities.

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 

Suzanne Legue 
Royal Victoria Hospital 
705-728-9090 extension 41600