Future campus of care reaches significant milestone 

 A major milestone was reached today at Bridgepoint Health as the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, joined hospital staff, Board members, project partners and special guests to celebrate the “Topping Off” of the new Bridgepoint Hospital.   

Already in the third year of construction, the project has surpassed the 50 per cent completion mark. At the peak of construction, approximately 40 sub-contractors and approximately 450 workers will have been on site daily, providing a sizeable boost to the Greater Toronto Area economy by directly and indirectly supporting and creating hundreds of jobs.  

'Topping off.' is a construction tradition that celebrates the building reaching its tallest vertical point. At Bridgepoint Health, the milestone was commemorated with a white steel girder, covered in the signatures of Board members, management, staff, volunteers, project partners and special guests, that was lifted 10 storeys to the top of the new hospital.   

The new Bridgepoint Hospital is a LEED® certified, 680,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that has been designed to advance Bridgepoint Health.s focus on research, education and care for individuals with complex chronic diseases. Included in the project is the restoration and renovation of the former Don Jail which will function as the hospital.s administration building.   

Once completed, the new facility will provide improved patient care, including: 

  • more living spaces for patients; 
  • double the existing therapy space and patient lounges;
  • increased ambulatory space for outpatient/community programming; 
  • modern therapy areas on each floor; 
  • a larger therapy pool, new public areas and cycling paths;  
  • walkways integrated with Riverdale Park. 

Construction of the new Bridgepoint Health hospital began in October 2009 and is expected to open its doors to patients in spring 2013.  

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Bridgepoint Health to redevelop the facility, which will remain publicly owned and publicly controlled.  

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province.s larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects, on time and on budget; managing one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada and providing real estate services, such as asset management and property and land management; and providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew public infrastructure.   

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information. 

Quotes: 

Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure

“Today.s milestone illustrates the government.s commitment to building modern health care facilities that provide Ontarians with the services they need and deserve.” 

Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care 

“This new state-of-the-art facility will provide improved access to health care services for the people of Toronto and will be a prominent change in this neighbourhood for years to come. I.m proud of our government.s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for patients with complex chronic diseases and disabilities.” 

Honourable Glen Murray, MPP for Toronto Centre 

"Bridgepoint Health will bring an important new element to health care services in Toronto. It is particularly symbolic that the former Don Jail is being renovated and transformed into a facility that will tackle our most challenging illnesses and diseases." 

Marian Walsh, President and CEO, Bridgepoint Health

“This bright and spacious new facility will allow us to provide the best of care to patients and enhance Bridgepoint Health.s teaching and research capabilities. This is a significant step in improving care for patients in Ontario.” 

Mike Marasco, Plenary Health CEO

“Reaching this stage of construction is a testament to what can be achieved through planning, hard work and a shared vision. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones with our partners over the next 31 years.” 

Contacts:

Joe Chawla

Bridgepoint Health 

416-461-8252 ext. 2929 

Lyndsie York

Infrastructure Ontario 

416-326-9368 

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