Request for qualifications issued for construction of urban park and waterfront trail at Ontario Place

TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Infrastructure Ontario has issued a request for qualifications seeking contractors with the expertise and capacity to undertake the construction of the urban park and waterfront trail at Ontario Place.

Construction is planned to take place in two phases, beginning with the removal of the existing parking lot, site preparation, shoreline repairs and underground infrastructure in summer 2014. The second phase will commence in late 2014 and will include the construction of the park and its surface-level amenities.

Interested bidders have the opportunity to prequalify for the construction work, demonstrating their experience working on projects of similar size and scope. Following rigorous evaluation, the successful contractor is expected be announced in `spring 2014.

The park and trail project will transform a portion of the site most recently used for staff parking, providing public access to a section of Toronto's waterfront for the first time in more than 40 years. It would link to an expansive, 780-kilometre waterfront trail system that includes parts of the Trans Canada Trail Ontario route as well as the Martin Goodman trail. More green space and access to the waterfront were among the top priorities identified through public consultations for a new Ontario Place.

Infrastructure Ontario, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Infrastructure, is moving forward with the development of the urban park and waterfront trail project, the first step in the revitalization of Ontario Place.

Infrastructure Ontario is a crown agency of the Province of Ontario that delivers large, complex infrastructure renewal projects on time and on budget. Over the last six years, the Province has applied Infrastructure Ontario's alternative financing and procurement model to 83 major projects valued at approximately $38 billion, saving taxpayers an estimated $3 billion. Infrastructure Ontario also manages one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada, provides municipalities and eligible public sector clients with financing to renew public infrastructure, and leverages its private-sector expertise to manage major commercial transactions on behalf of the province.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca or www.ontario.ca/myontarioplace for more information.

Quotes:

Glen Murray, Minister of Infrastructure
"This is an exciting milestone for the park and waterfront trail project and I am proud to see plans for this urban green space coming together in a way that engages Ontarians and provides good value."

Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
"Our ambition is to create a park that is open, accessible and welcoming to everyone—a place for all Ontarians that also attracts visitors from around the world. As we look forward to construction, we are continuing our conversation with the people of Ontario as part of the public consultations process for the park and trail design."

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SOURCE: Infrastructure Ontario

Mandy Downes
Infrastructure Ontario
416-327-5246

Charlene Millett
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
416-314-5502