Construction Set to Begin in May

TORONTO - Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has signed a contract with Vanbots Construction Corporation to build and finance Sunnybrook's M-Wing Shell and Perinatal & Gynaecology project, paving the way for construction to begin.

The redevelopment project will expand Sunnybrook's capacity to provide care for some of the most critically-ill newborns and high-risk pregnancies in the province by integrating these services into the hospital's critical care system.

“We're very pleased the project has reached this milestone,” said Public Infrastructure Renewal Minister David Caplan.  “Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is another concrete example of our government's commitment to modernize Ontario hospitals and stimulate economic growth.” 

"Ontario's hospitals are an integral part of our health care system," said Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman. "Our investment will provide a higher standard of care in facilities that are modern, well-maintained, safe and comfortable for patients."   

The building team, led by Vanbots Construction Corporation, also includes financing arranged by Stonebridge Financial Corporation.

“The McGuinty government is committed to improving services and providing facilities and health care we need,” said Kathleen Wynne, Don Valley West MPP. “We are looking forward to moving ahead with the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre project, which will provide much-needed space for the highly specialized Perinatal and Gynaecology program.”

The Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre expansion project will create four additional floors above the existing clinical services wing. Two of the new floors will accommodate an expanded Perinatal and Gynaecology Program, providing for 68 beds, 48 bassinets and approximately 4,250 births per year.  A state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will also be located in the new facilities.

“Our staff and volunteers are thrilled to see that construction is almost ready to begin,” said Leo Steven, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. “These four additional floors will further enhance Sunnybrook's role as critical care central for Ontario. The addition of a state-of-the-art Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit and expanded capacity for high-risk births will provide greater service for growing communities north and east of the GTA.”

Infrastructure Ontario will work with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to redevelop the hospital, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.  Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget. 

This project is guided by principles outlined in the Province's Building a Better Tomorrow framework, which ensures public ownership of core assets such as hospitals, schools, and water and wastewater facilities.  The Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre project is one of many infrastructure projects being upgraded and modernized under ReNew Ontario, the government's five-year, $30-billion plus infrastructure investment plan.  

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

BACKGROUNDER

With more than 8,500 staff members, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre provides acute inpatient care, inpatient chronic care, palliative care and nursing care, as well as outpatient services.

Sunnybrook operates approximately 1,275 inpatient beds, which includes 533 veteran beds and 74 bassinets. 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, M-Wing Shell and Perinatal and Gynaecology Project

The Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre M-Wing expansion project will create four additional floors above the existing clinical services wing. Two of the floors will be the new home of Sunnybrook's Perinatal and Gynaecology Program, including a state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. 

Two of the floors will provide space for the Perinatal and Gynaecology Program, which will provide:

  • 68 beds, 
  • 48 bassinets 
  • for approximately 4,250 births per year.  

Proposed plans for the other two floors are still under review.

The project will expand Sunnybrook's capacity to provide care for some of the most critically-ill newborns and high-risk pregnancies in the province by integrating these services into the hospital's critical care system. The Perinatal and Gynaecology program currently handles around 4,000 births a year, about 25 per cent of which are high-risk pregnancies. The Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit cares for one in five of all babies born in Ontario weighing less than three pounds.

Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2007.

Contacts:

Amy Tang
Minister's Office
Public Infrastructure and Renewal
416-325-4048

Jennifer Sclisizzi
Infrastructure Ontario
416-325-7409

Laura Bristow
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
416-480-6100 ext.2663

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