PREFERRED PROPONENT SELECTED FOR MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE PENETANGUISHENE

PENETANGUISHENE, ON, Nov. 22 /CNW/ - Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene (MHCP) and Infrastructure Ontario announced today that Integrated Team Solutions (ITS) is the preferred proponent selected to design, build, finance and maintain a new, state-of-the-art forensic mental health facility. Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene and Infrastructure Ontario are in the process of negotiating with ITS, a final contract which will be entered into by MHCP and ITS.

Built on the hospital's existing site, the new hospital will replace the existing 160-bed Oak Ridge Facility and the 20-bed Brebeuf Facility, offering a larger, more modern space for treatment and care of people with mental health disorders who have had involvement with the criminal justice system . Once complete, the new facility will consolidate MHCP into a more efficient, integrated complex.

The construction project will provide stimulus to the local and regional economies by creating construction jobs and supporting spin-off activity.

MHCP aims to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) Gold certification for the design and construction of the new facility. LEED^® standards focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and efficient use of energy, water and other resources.

The selection of ITS is the result of an extensive evaluation process that followed a request for proposals process that began in February 2010.  

The ITS consortium represents a joint venture between EllisDon Corporation and Fengate Capital Management Ltd., with EllisDon also providing construction services. The facility was designed by Cannon Design and Honeywell Limited will provide facilities management. National Bank Financial Inc. acted as the financial advisor to ITS.

Following successful negotiations with ITS, the project is expected to reach commercial close and financial close in early 2011, which will mean that relevant contracts have been signed, a financing rate has been set, the project's costs are finalized, and funds have been made available for the project.

Project costs will be announced publicly following financial close of the project and construction is expected to begin shortly after.

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene to develop the new 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. 

Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene is a 312-bed psychiatric hospital located on Georgian Bay in the Town of Penetanguishene, approximately 150 km northwest of Toronto. MHCP provides an extensive range of both acute and longer-term psychiatric inpatient and outpatient services to all of Simcoe County, part of Dufferin County and the southern portion of Muskoka/Parry Sound. In addition, MHCP provides the province's only maximum secure forensic hospital for clients served by both the mental health and justice systems.  The hospital is recognized for the provision of exceptional care to those most needing mental health services and for its contributions to the understanding of mental illness.

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

Quotes:

Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure
"Today's announcement further demonstrates the McGuinty government's commitment to this community and to ensuring that all Ontarians have access to the health care resources and infrastructure they need and deserve."

Aileen Carroll, MPP for Barrie
"This new facility is going to make such a difference to the staff, physicians and the people who receive care and treatment here. I am very pleased to see this project take another important step."

John McCullough, Board Chair of Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene
"This is an important step in realizing a long-time dream of the Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene and our dedicated health care professionals to build a new forensic hospital for some of our province's most vulnerable people."

Carol Lambie, President and CEO of Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene
"Our patients are one step closer to receiving specialized treatment and care in a modern, state of the art hospital.  We will not only be able to provide better care, but also improve safety for our patients and staff and be more efficient in our efforts to serve the province."

Disponible en français

For further information:

Laurene Hilderley-Sibley	Mandy Downes
Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene	Infrastructure Ontario
705-549-3181 ext 2214	416-327-5246