Infrastructure Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care, London, announced that the hospitals and EllisDon Corporation have achieved financial close to build and finance their redevelopment projects. Financial close signals that all contractual steps have been completed and construction is set to begin to renovate and expand the two hospitals. 

The two projects include:

  • The St. Joseph's Health Care, London project is Phase 2 of ambulatory care renovations at St. Joseph's Hospital to provide 112,000 square feet of renovated space for services in:
    • endoscopy; 
    • city-wide ophthalmology (which will be transferring from London Health Sciences Centre);
    • ear, nose and throat; 
    • ambulatory gynaecology; and 
    • diabetes/endocrinology.
  • The London Health Sciences Centre project involves construction of approximately 465,000 square feet of shelled-in space in the North Tower at Victoria Hospital for new, state-of-the-art facilities. In addition, approximately 100,000 square feet of the existing facilities will be renovated. The finished space will increase capacity by approximately 90 beds in this phase and accommodate:
    • a new clinic, inpatient and administrative areas for Children's Hospital; 
    • women's care, including a new birthing centre and neonatal intensive care program (being transferred from St. Joseph's Hospital); 
    • child, adolescent and adult inpatient and outpatient mental health care;
    • adult medical/surgical inpatient care; and 
    • specialized clinical laboratories.

Additional space will be provided for:

  • diagnostic radiology and nuclear imaging services;
  • a 350-seat auditorium with associated teaching facilities; and 
  • support space, including a cafeteria. 

The project team, led by EllisDon Corporation., includes financing for the St. Joseph's Health Care, London project arranged by the Pacific & Western Bank of Canada. Financing for the London Health Sciences Centre project will be arranged by:

  • The Bank of Nova Scotia (Lender's Agent)
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
  • Manulife Financial
  • The Toronto-Dominion Bank
  • Pacific & Western Bank of Canada

The contracts commit EllisDon Corporation to build and finance the London Health Sciences Centre project for $211.8 million and the St. Joseph's Health Care, London project for $49.2 million. The contracts guarantee fixed prices and fixed delivery dates for the redevelopment of the hospitals. The provincial government will fund 90 per cent of eligible construction costs.  

EllisDon Corporation has begun to mobilize equipment on both sites. Construction at St. Joseph's Hospital is expected to be complete in summer 2010 and construction at London Health Sciences Centre is expected to be complete in early 2011. At the peak of construction, over 300 workers will be on site daily at London Health Sciences Centre and over 100 workers will be on site daily at St. Joseph's Hospital.

“Hospitals are one of the pillars of our communities,” said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. “This project is part of the government's five-year $30-billion-plus infrastructure investment plan, which represents the biggest investment in health care infrastructure in more than a generation.”

“Reaching this milestone is an exciting time for the London community,” said Chris Bentley, MPP London West. “Our vision of having state-of-the-art health care facilities is beginning to take shape and become reality for residents of London.”

“We're very pleased to have reached financial close,” said Cliff Nordal, President and CEO of London Health Sciences Centre and President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health Care, London. “Reaching this milestone brings us one step closer to completing projects that will provide our patients with the best facilities that we can offer, along with the exceptional care they already receive.”

“I'm pleased to see the construction of this project get underway,” said Derek Smith, Executive Director of the London & District Construction Association. “This is a significant project for everyone in the London region, and I know that our member companies and their local employees are looking forward to the opportunity to be involved.”

Infrastructure Ontario is working with London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care, London to redevelop the hospitals, 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.  

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca  for more information.

Contacts:

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

Jessica Hooker 
Infrastructure Ontario  
416-327-5325

Judie Havers    
London Health Sciences Centre  
519-685-8500 ext. 58738  

Kelly Almond
St. Joseph's Health Care, London
519-646-6100 ext. 64791

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