Phase one of the Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment Project reached a milestone by shortlisting three proponents to participate in the next stage of the competitive selection process to design and build a new mental health and substance use facility and energy centre. Following an evaluation, these three teams were shortlisted to participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage: Bird Design-Build Construction Inc. EllisDon Corporation PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
New Westminster, B.C. – {December 16, 2015} –Phase one of the Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment Project reached a milestone by shortlisting three proponents to participate in the next stage of the competitive selection process to design and build a new mental health and substance use facility and energy centre.
“Moving to the shortlist stage takes us one step closer to providing more mental health and addiction services for children, youth, adults, and seniors,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “With two and a half times more beds and more outpatient clinics, the new mental health facility at Royal Columbian will have a positive impact on health care delivery in Fraser Health, the Lower Mainland and BC.”
Five teams responded to the Request for Qualifications - Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment Project – Phase One, which closed October 13, 2015. Following an evaluation, these three teams were shortlisted to participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage:
Bird Design-Build Construction Inc.
EllisDon Corporation
PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
The RFP will be issued to these teams in early 2016. Fraser Health expects to award the contract in 2016. Construction will begin soon after and the two facilities are expected to complete in late 2019.
The competitive selection process is being managed by Partnerships BC.
“We’re impressed with the depth of experience and insight into mental health patient needs each shortlisted teams offers,” said Michael Marchbank, Fraser Health’s President and CEO. “We’re anticipating thoughtful building designs that create safe, welcoming, spaces to promote recovery. Our mental health and substance use patients deserve it!”
The mental health and substance use facility will have 75-beds, including Fraser Health’s first 20-bed older adult psychiatric unit to enhance care for seniors. The new facility also includes expanded outpatient clinics to help patients transition to community mental health services, teaching space for the region’s psychiatry residency program, and a multi-level parkade.
The new energy centre will provide the power and utilities infrastructure to support the current campus, create capacity for future phases, and reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint. It will be designed to connect to the future District Energy System proposed by the City of New Westminster, which would provide the hospital with low carbon, renewable heating.
Also in phase one, but not part of this RFQ, is the creation of temporary visitor and employee parking, relocation of the hospital’s helipad, upgrades to existing buildings to connect them to the new energy centre, a campus communication hub, and an advanced fibre optic network.
The total cost of phase one is budgeted at $258.9 million, which includes a $249.8 million commitment from the Province and $9.1 million from the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
“We’re grateful for the earnest support we have received so far from donors who recognize the importance of mental health care,” said Jeff Norris, President and CEO of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. “This milestone will help encourage more people in our region to join our campaign to raise $9.1 million for this much-needed, state-of-the-art facility.”
Royal Columbian Hospital is a vital referral centre and regional centre of excellence for trauma, critical care, cardiac care, mental health, maternity, neonatal intensive care and neurosurgery. As British Columbia’s oldest hospital, and one of its busiest, it provides expert care for the most seriously ill or injured in Fraser Health and the province, and is one of two adult level 1 trauma centres in the Lower Mainland.