BARRIE - Royal Victoria Hospital and Infrastructure Ontario have selected Vanbots, a Division of Carillion Construction Inc., to build and finance the hospital's Phase I Expansion project, which includes the addition of the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre.

The Royal Victoria Hospital Phase I Expansion 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 project will help the hospital to ensure timely access to services and to meet the needs of a growing population.

It will provide:

  • the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre, which will log more than 60,000 patient visits in its first year
  • capacity for 101 additional inpatient beds
  • an Emergency Department that will triple in size and have a trauma unit, isolation ward and mental health crisis team
  • an expanded laboratory
  • a Diagnostic Imaging Department that will double in size to increase patient flow and privacy
  • two additional operating rooms that are larger than existing suites for complex surgeries
  • a dedicated seven-bed Coronary Care Unit for critically ill cardiac patients.

Financing for the Royal Victoria Hospital project is being arranged by Norddeutsche Landesbank Gironzentrale; National Australia Bank Limited; National Bank of Canada Inc.; CIT Financial Ltd.; Banco Espirito Santo de Investimento SA; Toronto Dominion Bank; and Bank of Montreal. Financial close is expected in the coming weeks, with construction following shortly thereafter. The project cost will be released at financial close.

“Renewing our hospitals is an essential part of ensuring quality health care for Ontario's future,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. “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.”

“Once complete, the expanded hospital will improve access to important health services so that residents of this community will get the care they need, when they need it,” said David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

“This project is an example of the McGuinty government's commitment to building a health care system that keeps Ontarians healthy,” said Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll.

“The extraordinary support of the province and the people of our community is making the dream of an expanded Royal Victoria Hospital a reality,” said Janice Skot, President and CEO of Royal Victoria Hospital.

“This milestone means we're one step closer to bringing care closer to home for patients across our region.”

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:

Amy Tang
Minister's Office Energy and Infrastructure
416-327-6747

Jennifer Sclisizzi
Infrastructure Ontario
416-325-7409

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