BARRIE - Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll joined hospital officials, community members and health care partners today to celebrate the official start of construction of the Royal Victoria Hospital Phase 1 Expansion Project.

The Royal Victoria Hospital Phase 1 Expansion Project will help to ensure timely access to services and to meet the needs of a growing population. The project will nearly double the size of the existing hospital, adding more than 400,000 square feet of new space. It will provide a regional cancer centre to bring services closer to home for cancer patients throughout Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka.

“The Royal Victoria's expansion project is vital for our community,” said Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll. “The expansion of RVH demonstrates our government's commitment to provide enhanced health care resources and facilities to serve the needs of local residents and people across Ontario.”

“This is an exciting and historic day in RVH's history and a milestone which people throughout our region are celebrating,” said Janice Skot, President and CEO of Royal Victoria Hospital. “The Phase I Expansion is the largest capital project in Simcoe Muskoka history and, once completed, will allow us to better meet the needs of our growing population by bringing expanded services and care closer to home.” 

The project team, led by Vanbots signed a contract for $258.5 million with the hospital to build and finance the redevelopment project. The contract guarantees a fixed price and fixed completion date. Construction of the new addition and cancer centre is expected to be completed in fall 2011, with the significant renovations to the existing hospital completed by spring 2013.

During the construction period, the project will create spin-off jobs and stimulate economic development that will benefit everyone in the region. At the peak of construction, more than 200 workers will be on site daily. 
Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Royal Victoria Hospital 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.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Contacts: 

Jennifer Sclisizzi 
Infrastructure Ontario 
416-325-7409 

Suzanne Legue 
Royal Victoria Hospital 
705-728-9090 extension 41600