Government's Investment Will Help to Improve Local Health Care Services

TORONTO - Today is the last day for pre-qualified building teams to submit final bid packages to build and finance the Rouge Valley Health System's Ajax and Pickering Hospital Phase 1 project.

With the addition of over 76,500 square feet of new construction and over 63,500 square feet of renovations, the hospital will be able to provide more effective services to Durham Region's expanding population. As well, it will able to deliver more effective family-centred care for a broad range of health conditions.

“Through ReNew Ontario, the government's $30-billion plus infrastructure investment plan, we are renewing and modernizing infrastructure,” said Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan. “This plan ensures value for taxpayer dollars as we build strong, prosperous communities.” 

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

The request for proposals to build and finance the Rouge Valley Health System's Ajax and Pickering project was issued in February 2007. The bid submissions will be evaluated over the next few months and a successful bidder is expected to be named in early fall 2007. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly after.

“We're excited to see this project moving forward,” said Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge MPP Wayne Arthurs. “Through redevelopment and expansion, the Rouge Valley Health System's Ajax and Pickering Hospital will be better positioned to meet the health care needs of our growing community, both today and in the future.”

“We are encouraged by the government's continued commitment and support for our hospital,” said Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Rouge Valley Health System Rik Ganderton. “Our community will benefit from improved accessibility to care, with more modern health care facilities, beds and health care professionals.”

Infrastructure Ontario will work with the Rouge Valley Health System to redevelop the Ajax and Pickering 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 Rouge Valley Health System's Ajax and Pickering Hospital Phase 1 project is one of many infrastructure projects being upgraded and modernized under ReNew Ontario, the government's five-year, $30-billion plus public infrastructure investment plan. 

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information. 

Contacts:  

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

Terence Foran  
Infrastructure Ontario  
416-325-2939  

David Brazeau  
Rouge Valley Health System  
416-284-8131, Ext. 4010