Construction officially begins on Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
redevelopment project

TORONTO, April 6 /CNW/ - The Honourable Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, today joined hospital officials, community members and health care partners to celebrate the official start of construction of the next phase of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) redevelopment project on Queen Street West in Toronto.

This phase of redevelopment will see the construction of three new state-of-the art buildings on the CAMH site: the Gateway Building, the Intergenerational Wellness Centre and the Utilities and Parking Building. Demolition of the existing administration building is already underway to make room for the new buildings.

Construction of the new buildings is expected to be completed in 2012. At the peak of construction, it is estimated that 350 workers will be on site daily. Labour will be drawn largely from the Greater Toronto Area.

This phase of the redevelopment project will dramatically transform the 27-acre site at 1001 Queen Street West, bringing CAMH one step closer to achieving its vision of providing high quality, integrated mental health and addiction care in a revitalized urban village. CAMH has a bold, transformational agenda: to change the face of treatment, integrate the hospital with the community and break down stigma.

Carillion Health Services (Carillion) has signed a contract with CAMH to design, build, finance and maintain phase 1B of CAMH's capital redevelopment project. The contract with Carillion is for $293 million in net present dollars, to be delivered by a fixed completion date. The Carillion team includes its fully integrated Construction and Facility Management Divisions; Stantec Architecture Ltd.; and Scotia Capital Inc.

"The CAMH redevelopment project demonstrates the McGuinty government's commitment to invest in Ontario's health care infrastructure to build stronger and healthier communities," said Minister Duguid. "This project will enhance the quality of life and the quality of treatment offered to families across Ontario that rely on the specialized care provided by CAMH."

"This project represents optimism and our vision of a better future for people with mental illness and addictions," said Dr. Catherine Zahn, President and CEO of CAMH. "Our hope is that we will not only improve care with this project, but that we'll help break down stigma and create a more inclusive community for all."

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with the Centre for Addiction and Mental 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.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Disponible en français

For further information: Media contacts: Michael Torres, CAMH, [phone]; Tom Boreskie, Infrastructure Ontario, [phone]