PENETANGUISHENE, ON, Feb. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, joined hospital board members, staff and volunteers, construction partners, and members of the community to celebrate the completion of the new Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and a new era for patients, families and care providers.
Built on Waypoint's existing site, the new forensic mental health building replaces the 160-bed Oak Ridge Facility and the 20-bed Brebeuf Facility, offering a larger, more modern and consolidated space for treatment and care of people with mental illness who have come into contact with the law. The new building will be open for patient care in early March 2014.
The construction project began in February 2011 and was completed on time and on budget in December 2013. During construction, the project created hundreds of jobs through the employment of local tradespeople and related suppliers. At the height of construction, as many as 350 workers were on site daily.
The facility was designed and constructed to adhere to the guidelines and sustainability principles of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification. LEED® standards focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and efficient use of energy, water and other resources.
Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care worked with Waypoint to develop the new forensic hospital and campus addition, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.
Infrastructure Ontario is a crown agency of the Province of Ontario that delivers large, complex infrastructure renewal projects on time and on budget. Over the last six years, the province has applied Infrastructure Ontario's alternative financing and procurement model to 83 major projects valued at approximately $38 billion, saving taxpayers an estimated $3 billion.
Infrastructure Ontario also manages one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada, provides municipalities and eligible public sector clients with financing to renew public infrastructure, and leverages its private-sector expertise to manage major commercial transactions on behalf of the province.
Located in Penetanguishene, Waypoint has a 110-year history of offering healing and inspiring hope through innovative treatment, compassionate care and an emphasis on quality of daily life. An extensive range of regional speciality mental health inpatient and outpatient services are part of the fully accredited hospital. Waypoint is home to the province's only 160-bed maximum secure forensic mental health hospital. It is recognized for its research and academic partnerships, including its affiliation with the University of Toronto.
Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca or http://www.waypointcentre.ca for more information.
Quotes:
Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"A proud member of the community for more than 100 years, Waypoint has an honourable history of providing excellent care for patients with mental illness. I am very pleased that more patients will be supported on their road to recovery for many years to come thanks to this redevelopment. Good things certainly do happen at Waypoint. Congratulations!"
Carol Lambie, President and CEO, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
"This is a very special day for everyone at Waypoint. With our new, purpose-built facility, we look forward to improving the quality of life for our patients and enriching the working environment for our team of caregivers and staff for many years to come."
Betty Valentine, Chair, Board of Directors, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
"This building signifies for us a new era in mental health care—one that is characterized by its focus on rehabilitation and recovery. I am extremely proud of the compassionate care we provide and celebrate the opportunity to do even more with a space that is designed for the specialized needs of our patients."
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SOURCE: Infrastructure Ontario
Contacts:
Mandy Downes
Infrastructure Ontario
416-327-5246
Apryl Munro
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
705-549-3181 ext. 2865
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