Bluewater Health celebrates completion of new main entrance exterior

Features support patient and family-centered care

TORONTO , Oct. 23 /CNW/ - Bluewater Health and key partners marked the completion of the exterior of the hospital's new main entrance today, during an Extreme Makeover-themed celebration event to recognize the significant progress made on the hospital's redevelopment project.

Bluewater Health's new main entrance is designed to compliment the hospital's vision to create an environment rich in life, light and comfort. Constructed predominately of glass to reflect the natural environment, the new area boasts the following features that support patient and family-centred care:

    
    -   An information kiosk
    -   A comfortable seating area with relaxing amenities
    -   A calming water feature adjacent to a large outdoor garden which will
        be accessible to patients and visitors year-round
    -   Close proximity to key support service areas and outpatient programs

    In addition to promoting and supporting a culture of wellness and healing,
the construction and operation of the new facility involves a commitment to
environmentally friendly and energy efficient hospital practices and features,
including:

    -   An underground cistern to collect rainwater for use in landscaping
    -   160 new trees for the hospital grounds
    -   Powering the new facility with 50 per cent "green power"
    -   Bringing natural light into the hospital by providing a window in all
        patients rooms
    -   Healing gardens and green spaces
    

Besides these features, Bluewater Health is proud of its work to become one of Canada's first hospitals to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This confirms that the design and construction of the hospital delivers high performance in water savings, energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Certification also confirms that site development and materials selected for the hospital are sustainable.

Construction began in October 2007 and the new building is scheduled to open its doors in the summer of 2010 with transitions through 2012. Built by EllisDon Corp., the expansion project involves the construction of a new seven-storey building linked to every floor of the existing Norman building and renovations to the Russell building. Construction is approximately 65 per cent complete.

Bluewater Health's project will help create and support approximately 1,400 direct and indirect jobs, contributing millions of dollars to help stimulate Sarnia-Lambton's local economy.

"In many ways, this event is symbolic," said Sue Denomy, President/CEO, Bluewater Health. "Today we gather to preview our new main entrance - it's the first event in our journey to build a new community hospital for the residents of Sarnia-Lambton. Soon, our patients and their families will arrive here to begin their journey of care with us. We'll receive them on this 'front porch' and welcome them into our new home."

Infrastructure Ontario will continue working with Bluewater Health 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.

For more information about Infrastructure Ontario, visit www.infrastructureontario.ca.

For more information about Bluewater Health, visit www.bluewaterhealth.ca.

Disponible en français

For further information: Meaghan Lawrence-Kreeft, Bluewater Health, [phone], [phone]; Paulette den Elzen, Infrastructure Ontario, [phone]