Construction to begin in January 2008
OTTAWA - The Ottawa Hospital, Queensway Carleton Hospital and Infrastructure Ontario announced today that they have selected PCL Constructors Canada Inc. to build and finance The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Program redevelopment project.
The building team, led by PCL Constructors Canada Inc., includes financing arranged by TD Bank.
This redevelopment project will include renovations and expansion of the cancer centre at The Ottawa Hospital's General Campus and the addition of a new satellite cancer centre at Queensway Carleton Hospital.
The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Program provides cancer treatment in the Champlain region, offering systemic therapy (chemotherapy), radiation therapy, surgical oncology, preventative oncology, palliative medicine and supportive care.
“A tremendous milestone was reached today - a milestone that paves the way for improved access to health care in Ottawa,” said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. “The final contracts are signed demonstrating that the McGuinty Government has delivered on its commitment to this community.”
“These projects are an essential part of our government's plan to renew hospitals and lower cancer surgery wait times in the local community and across the province,” commented Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, George Smitherman. “Once complete, these two redeveloped hospitals will improve access to important health services so that Ottawa residents will get the care they need, when they need it.”
“I am very proud of The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Program's redevelopment project,” said Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean. “This project will not only benefit the entire community, but it also serves as an example of our government's commitment to keeping all Ontarians healthy now and well into the future.”
The contracts commit PCL Constructors Canada Inc. to build and finance the redevelopment at The Ottawa Hospital for $46.7 million and The Queensway Carleton Hospital for $66.3 million. The contracts guarantee fixed prices and fixed delivery dates for the redevelopment of the hospitals.
The estimated total cost of redeveloping both hospitals is $180.6 million. This cost includes the fixed construction contracts with PCL Constructors Canada Inc., as well as other estimated costs related to each project such as furniture, equipment, permits, architectural and engineering fees, transactional and project management fees.
“We are pleased that our patients will have improved access to lifesaving radiation therapy close to home,” said Dr. Jack Kitts, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital. “This agreement ensures that the hospital is built to the highest standards and supports our highly trained staff and doctors in their efforts to provide quality care.”
“We know that with a growing, aging community comes a greater need for advanced-level cancer services,” said Tom Schonberg, Queensway Carleton Hospital President and CEO. “We are committed to ensuring these services are available when and where they are needed most.”
PCL Constructors Canada Inc. will begin to mobilize for construction on both sites in January 2008. Construction at the Queensway Carleton Hospital is expected to be completed in fall 2009 and construction at The Ottawa Hospital is expected to be completed in early 2011.
A Value for Money (VFM) report on both projects will be posted on Infrastructure Ontario's website, along with the project agreement, within weeks. This third-party VFM assessment identifies the benefits or value derived on this project as compared to a traditional procurement approach. The VFM report will provide a summary of estimated total project costs including the fixed cost of the contracts with PCL, equipment and other ancillary costs.
Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will work with The Ottawa Hospital and Queensway Carleton Hospital to redevelop and expand The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Program, 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 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:
Allison Neill
The Ottawa Hospital
613-737-8899, Ext. 70271
Judy Brown
Queensway Carleton Hospital
613-721-4700, Ext. 5601
Amy Tang
Minister's Office
Public Infrastructure and Renewal
416 325-4048
Jessica Hooker
Infrastructure Ontario
416 325-5325