Environmentally friendly facility to boost local economy during construction

HAMILTON - The Honourable Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister Responsible for Seniors, Minister of Revenue and MPP, Hamilton Mountain, the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale joined hospital officials, staff and consumers today to celebrate the start of construction on the new West 5th Campus project.

The new hospital will provide larger, state-of-the-art facilities in order to integrate medicine and psychiatry consistent with St. Joseph's vision to destigmatize mental health. It will provide enhanced support for people and families living with mental illness and addiction. Highlights of the redevelopment include:

  • Approximately 800,000 square feet of new construction;
  • Increased capacity of up to 305 single person inpatient bedrooms and all associated support services; 
  • Expanded outpatient clinics for psychiatry, diagnostic imaging and medical services; and
  • Additional innovative research and academic spaces as the hospital becomes the home to the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. 

Construction began in January 2011 and is expected be completed in summer 2014. Labour will be drawn largely from Hamilton and the surrounding communities and it is expected at the peak of construction more than 650 workers will be on site daily. 

Construction activities taking place in the next few months include:

  • Excavation of foundation footings and pouring of partial concrete slab on grade;
  • Decanting of the hospital's Auchmar B-Wing and its demolition;
  • Installation of tower cranes, security and construction fences; and
  • Site services including installation of water supply, sanitary sewers, electrical and natural gas lines.

The selected project team, Plenary Health, will receive annual payments from the province over a 30-year period. Payments cover construction, building maintenance, lifecycle repair and renewal and project financing and are equivalent to approximately $581 million in today's dollars.

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: 

Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Minister of Revenue and MPP, Hamilton Mountain 
“This is a very exciting day for our community and all the residents of surrounding areas who rely on St. Joseph's Healthcare for excellent mental health and addiction services. We're closer than ever to realizing our vision of a new centre of excellence.” 

Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care  
“This new expansion means Hamilton and area residents will have greater peace of mind knowing that they have increased access to high quality mental health care so close to home. Today in Ontario, mental illness and addictions affects one in five. My government is fully committed to supporting those affected.”

Ted McMeekin, MPP, Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale 
“Through this redevelopment project, residents in our region will have continued access to mental health care close to home for many years to come.” 

Dr. Kevin Smith, President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health System 
“This is a momentous occasion for healthcare in our community and our province as we officially break ground on the construction of the West 5th Campus of St. Joseph's Healthcare. This project enables us to continue to enhance our role of an innovative leader in mental health and addiction services in this region.”

Dr. David Higgins, President of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton 
“Today's groundbreaking signifies we are closer to reaching our vision of a new facility, providing the very best in care to patients and families through innovative research, educational programs, superior clinical care and breaking down stigmas associated with mental health.” 

Mike Marasco, Chief Executive Officer, Plenary Health 
“The Plenary Health team is very excited and privileged to work with the St. Joseph's team as they embark on their journey of becoming the North American leader in the provision of the full continuum of services for mental health and addiction patients.” 

Contacts: 

Janelle Eade 
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
905-522-1155, Ext. 36790

Terence Foran
Infrastructure Ontario
416 325-2939 

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