Ellis Don Infrastructure has been named as the ‘preferred proponent’ to construct the new $325-million expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital. Construction on Phase one is expected to begin within the next few weeks. (Photo supplied)
One of Canada’s largest construction firms – Ellis Don Infrastructure from Ontario – has been selected as the “preferred proponent” to build the new patient care tower and parkade at Pentiction Regional Hospital.
Ellis Don was awarded the contract after an extensive evaluation process of the three teams that were shortlisted and invited to submit proposals to design, build, partially finance and maintain a new patient care tower and parkade at Penticton Regional Hospital.
“We remain committed to an expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital because we recognize the growth of the region and an increasing demand on healthcare services,” said B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake. “In short order we will be celebrating the groundbreaking of this new patient care tower and the benefits it will bring for patients, families and healthcare professionals in the region.”
The next stage in the competitive process will be to conclude a performance-based contract with Ellis Don by the spring of 2016, with construction set to begin soon after.
The new patient care tower is expected to open in 2019.
Details about the agreement between the provincial government and Ellis Don will be released after the agreement has been finalized and signed in the coming weeks.
“Every step in the process brings us closer to the start of construction,” said Dan Ashton, MLA for Penticton. “It will have a significant impact on Penticton and the South Okanagan-Similkameen region, creating upwards of 1,900 jobs for workers over the life of the project.
“Many individuals, including myself, have spent years working towards this expansion and to be so close to concluding the selection process is incredibly exciting.”
The $325-million expansion includes two phases. Phase one is construction of the new patient care tower and parkade, which will include an ambulatory care centre, surgical services, 84 medical-surgical inpatient in single patient rooms, a new medical device reprocessing unit and space for the UBC Faculty of Medicine program.
During the procurement process, an addendum was added to the Request for Proposals to include design and construction management services for Phase two of the project. Phase two involves the renovation of vacated areas in the existing hospital to allow for an expanded emergency department, plus renovations to the pharmacy, stores and support areas.
“The selection of Ellis Don Infrastructure as the preferred proponent means we can move on to concluding the selection process,” said Erwin Malzer, Interior Health board chair. “It brings us closer to breaking ground on what will be a patient-centred, environmentally sustainable and modern hospital for the residents of the South Okanagan and Similkameen.”
Michael Brydon, Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Hospital District chair, said his organization is excited construction will soon begin on the new patient care tower.
“As a funding partner, we appreciate the efforts of Interior Health, Partnerships BC and Ellis Don Infrastructure as we move through this stage of the project.”
A fairness adviser, John Singleton of Singleton Urquhart LLP, was appointed to oversee and monitor the entire evaluation process to ensure it was fair and followed the requirements outlined in the Request for Proposals.
The report of the fairness adviser concluded that the process for selecting the preferred proponent was open, fair and equitable. The fairness adviser’s report will be made available to the public once completed on the Partnership BC’s website at www.partnershipsbc.ca.
An evaluation committee comprised of representatives from Interior Health and Partnerships BC evaluated the Requests for Proposals. The evaluation committee appointed four review teams, whose membership included clinicians, staff and consultants with specific expertise in healthcare planning and operations, design, construction and facilities operations.
To read more about the Penticton Regional Hospital expansion project and other Interior Health projects, visit www.buildingpatientcare.ca.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
