CONSTRUCTION OFFICIALLY BEGINS ON MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT
PROJECT

MARKHAM, ON, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister for Tourism and Culture and MPP for Markham-Unionville, and Dr. Helena Jaczek, MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham, joined hospital officials, community members, fundraising volunteers and health-care partners today for Markham Stouffville Hospital's official groundbreaking ceremony.

The project will allow the hospital to meet the needs of a growing population and enhance access to essential health-care services through the construction of a four-storey addition that will add 385,000 square feet to the existing site, doubling the size of the facility. Renovations will then be completed on areas in the existing building that are vacated as a result of programs moving into the new wing. Once complete, the expanded hospital will include:

• a new emergency department;
• expanded ambulatory clinics;
• more inpatient beds and operating rooms;
• a new diagnostic imaging department;
• a new and expanded maternal child unit; and,
• a new and expanded mental health program

In addition to the health-care benefits, the project will also provide a boost to the regional economy by supporting and creating jobs. At the peak of construction activity, approximately 300 workers are expected to be on site daily, with 25 to 40 per cent of the workforce coming from the Region of York. When the project is finished the expanded hospital is expected to employ an additional 875 staff and attract 60 new physicians to the area.

The building team, led by PCL Constructors and advised by TD Securities, includes financing provided by The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Laurentian Bank of Canada, Canso Investment Counsel Ltd, and Alberta Investment Management Corporation.

The contract commits PCL to build and finance the Markham Stouffville Hospital redevelopment project for $200.4 million, which will be paid by the hospital when construction is completed. The contract guarantees a fixed price and a fixed delivery date for the redevelopment of the hospital. The provincial government will fund 90 per cent of eligible construction costs. The hospital foundation's goal is to raise $50 million to support the project with a significant portion of that money going to furnish the new building.  

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will work with Markham Stouffville Hospital to manage the renovation and new construction at the hospital, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget. As well, it is dedicated to providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew their infrastructure.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca or www.msh.on.ca for more information.

Quotes:

Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"I am delighted to share in this tremendous milestone with Markham Stouffville Hospital. The expansion of this hospital is an essential part of this government's commitment to renew hospitals and ensure Ontarians have access to the care they need, close to home."

Janet Beed, President and CEO, Markham Stouffville Hospital
"This is one of the most exciting days in Markham Stouffville Hospital's history. Today, with our government, health care and construction partners, we begin the important job of expanding our facility to better meet the needs of the people we serve."

Hon. Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture and MPP for Markham-Unionville
"This is a momentous day for our hospital and our community. With the start of construction, we will begin to see this project take shape toward our collective vision of a state-of-the-art health care facility that is designed to meet the needs of our growing community."

Dr. Helena Jaczek, MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham
"The expansion and redevelopment of Markham Stouffville Hospital ensures that my constituents will have access to quality health care for generations to come.

Disponible en français

For further information:

Lisa Joyce  Markham Stouffville Hospital     905-472-7032

Mandy Downes Infrastructure Ontario 416-327-5246