PREFERRED PROPONENT SELECTED FOR ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTHCARE HAMILTON WEST 5TH
CAMPUS

HAMILTON, ON, Sept. 27 /CNW/ - St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and Infrastructure Ontario announced today Plenary Health is the preferred proponent selected to design, build, finance and maintain the new West 5th Campus project. As the preferred proponent, Plenary Health is in the process of negotiating a final contract with St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and Infrastructure Ontario.

The new hospital will provide larger, state-of-the-art facilities in order to better support people and families struggling with mental illness and addiction.

    
    Highlights of the redevelopment include:
    -   Approximately 800,000 square feet of new construction;
    -   Increased capacity of up to 305 inpatient beds and all associated
        support services;
    -   Expanded outpatient clinics for psychiatry, diagnostic imaging and
        medical services; and
    -   Innovative research and academic spaces.
    

The construction project will provide stimulus to the regional and Ontario economies by directly and indirectly creating and supporting thousands of jobs. Labour will be drawn largely from the Greater Toronto Area.

The design and construction of the new hospital will adhere to the guidelines and sustainability principles of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) rating system, with a goal of achieving LEED(R) Silver certification. LEED buildings focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and efficient use of energy, water and other resources.

The selection of Plenary Health is the result of an extensive evaluation process that followed a request for proposals process that began in December 2009. The Plenary Health team includes:

    
    Developer: Plenary Group, Innisfree
    Design: Cannon Design
    Construction: PCL Construction Canada
    Facilities Management: Honeywell
    Financial Advisor: Royal Bank of Canada
    

Following successful negotiations with Plenary Health, the project is expected to reach commercial close and financial close in December 2010, 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 St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton 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.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Quotes:

The Honourable Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Minister of Revenue

"The redevelopment of the West 5th Campus will support the modern mental health care St. Joseph's delivers to our community both today and for the future."

Dr. David Higgins, President of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

"This is a significant step toward our goal to provide state-of-the-art care in an environment that reflects our vision for mental health and addiction care. The new Campus will help cast mental health care in a different way. It will be modern, welcoming and part of a full service health care centre."

Disponible en français

For further information: Debbie Silva, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, 905-522-1155, Ext. 33037; Terence Foran, Infrastructure Ontario, 416-325-2939