MUHC is a step away from announcing winning bid for Glen Campus

MONTREAL , Sept. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) announced today that its rigorous process to evaluate the detailed submissions for the Glen Campus from the two international consortia bidding to design, build, finance and maintain this portion of its pivotal three-campus Redevelopment Project is underway. The winning public-private partnership (PPP) scheme, either Groupe immobilier santé McGill or Partenariat CUSM, will be announced on December 3, 2009 .

"I cannot stress enough how important today's announcement is for our patients, the MUHC family and all Quebecers," stated the Hon. Arthur T. Porter, MUHC Director General and CEO. "Imagine hundreds of days of concerted effort by members of the MUHC and the two outstanding international consortia, not to mention boxes and upon boxes of design and technical-specification documents for the Glen Campus , and realize you would only be seeing the tip of the iceberg! A Selection Committee will oversee the evaluation process and make its recommendation to the MUHC Board of Directors as to which consortium is most suited to bring our Glen Campus vision to life."

The Selection Committee, co-chaired by Senator W. David Angus , Chairman of the MUHC Board of Directors, and the Hon. Arthur T. Porter, MUHC Director General and CEO, held its first meeting with committee members on Monday, September 14 .

"I am thrilled that we're a step away from putting that shovel in the ground later this year," added Senator W. David Angus , Chairman of the MUHC Board of Directors. "It's urgent that we start to build our new campuses. Our patients, their families and our professionals not only deserve more effective facilities and a healing environment, but they have waited long enough for them! I will do my utmost to ensure that quality, safety and innovation remain top of mind throughout the evaluation process."

The Glen Campus will be the new home of The Montreal Children's Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Montreal Chest Institute-academic hospitals that have been assuring exemplary care and making medical history for over two centuries-as well as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre and the leading-edge research facilities whose proposed vision resulted in the Research Institute of the MUHC being awarded a landmark grant of $250-million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Government of Quebec and generous donors.

"I am ecstatic that the evaluation process is underway," stated Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos , Director of the Research Institute of the MUHC and Associate Director General of Research for the MUHC. "The Centre for Translational Biology, Centre for Innovative Medicine and our other facilities will allow us to catalyze original research, accelerate our capacity for meaningful innovation and translate basic discoveries into public uses at a faster pace. The impact on the health and well-being of those we serve throughout their life cycle will be measurable."

Remediated to the highest environmental standard and LEED(R)-registered, the Glen Campus will bridge biomedical research and clinical medicine whilst allowing the MUHC to meet its environmental stewardship commitment through sustainable construction, operations and maintenance. Finally, it will promote health in a larger sense, as the MUHC's goal is to see harmonious, healing spaces where people thrive to the greatest extent possible and to set a course where the members of the community will be encouraged, assisted and inspired to take better control of their well-being.

"The coming weeks are going to be intense but extremely rewarding," added Arthur T. Porter. "I am confident that the evaluation committees will rise to the challenge because at the beginning of December we will announce the winning submission at a press conference. That will be a momentous day, as will be the groundbreaking ceremony shortly thereafter!"

The Request for Proposals for the Glen Campus was launched in October 2008 after Groupe immobilier santé McGill and Partenariat CUSM were qualified to move forward with the PPP process. Over the last eleven months, the consortia have participated in User-Group meetings with more than 200 MUHC doctors, nurses, researchers, allied health professionals, staff and stakeholders to inform and refine their designs, a collaborative process that is a Canadian first.

"The MUHC is very fortunate to have such a dedicated team of planners, clinical and non-clinical staff and government representatives working towards this PPP, added St. Clair Armitage , MUHC PPP Director. "Thanks to the incredible collaboration between all stakeholders, including our very inspired bidders, our patients and their families, as well as the MUHC team will reap the rewards of a successful PPP."

In addition to the Glen Campus , the MUHC Redevelopment Project comprises the Mountain and Lachine campuses. Already, energy and construction projects at the Mountain Campus are preparing the site so that the MUHC can continue to fulfill its academic mission, including its mandate as the only Level-I trauma centre in downtown Montreal . The Lachine Campus provides another facility for much-needed care, including specialized, high-demand surgeries and long-term care, essential complements to the MUHC's tertiary care. The Redevelopment Project is supported by The Best Care for Life campaign.

"This is very positive news," stated John A. Rae, Chairman of The Best Care for Life Campaign. "To date, we have raised more than $210 million of our $300 million objective. This announcement will be a big encouragement to our fundraising campaign as we work to meet our target. I must thank everyone who has been working tirelessly on the campaign and everyone, from citizens to MUHC staff, who has contributed thus far. Together, we're making the Glen, Mountain and Lachine the new reality we have been seeking for so long."

Groupe immobilier santé McGill is represented by: SNC Lavalin; Innisfree Limited; IBI Group; HDR Architecture Canada inc.; Yelle Maillé architectes associés S.E.N.C.; N.F.O.E. et associés architectes; Bouthillette Parizeau et associés Inc.; Pomerleau Inc.; Verreault Inc.; Simard-Beaudry Construction Inc.; Société de contrôle Johnson S.E.C.

Partenariat CUSM is represented by: Obrascon Huarte Lain, S.A. (OHL); Groupe Decarel inc.; Groupe Arcop, architectes, S.E.N.C.; Parkin Architects; Cardinal Hardy Architectes ; Genivar, Société en commandite; AXIMA Services Inc.

About the MUHC Redevelopment Project

Guided by its mission and its role as co-leaders of the McGill integrated university hospital network, the MUHC is carrying out a $2.2-billion Redevelopment Project that will help the Government achieve its vision for academic medicine in Quebec . Excellence in patient care, research, education and technology assessment will be fostered on three state-of-the-art campuses-The Mountain, the Glen and Lachine-and through strong relationships with healthcare partners. Each LEED(R)-registered campus will be designed to provide patients and their families with "The Best Care for Life" in a healing environment that is anchored in best sustainable development practices, including BOMA BESt guidelines. www.muhc.ca/construction

About the MUHC

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is a comprehensive academic health institution with an international reputation for excellence in clinical programs, research and teaching. Its partner hospitals are the Montreal Children's Hospital, the Montreal General Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, the Montreal Chest Institute and the Lachine Hospital. The goal of the MUHC is to provide patient care based on the most advanced knowledge in the health care field, and to contribute to the development of new knowledge. www.muhc.ca

For further information: Rebecca Burns, Communications Coordinator, MUHC Public Relations and Communications, [phone], [email protected]