TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario (IO) has issued a request for proposals to five construction companies shortlisted to build the new urban park and waterfront trail at Ontario Place.

A request for qualifications issued in February 2014 shortlisted contractors with the expertise and capacity to undertake the construction project. The five shortlisted companies invited to bid are:

  •     Aldershot
  •     Eastern Construction
  •     Elite
  •     PCL
  •     Urbacon

Construction is planned to take place in two phases, beginning with the removal of the existing parking lot, site preparation, shoreline repairs and underground infrastructure in fall 2014. The second phase will commence in fall 2015 and will include the construction of the park and its surface-level amenities.

The park and trail project will transform a portion of the East Island previously used as a parking lot, providing public access to a section of Toronto's waterfront for the first time in more than 40 years. It will link to an expansive waterfront trail system that includes parts of the Trans Canada Trail Ontario route as well as the Martin Goodman trail. More green space and access to the waterfront were among the top priorities identified through public consultations for a new Ontario Place.

Infrastructure Ontario, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, is moving forward with the development of the urban park and waterfront trail project, the first step in the revitalization of Ontario Place.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown agency of the Province of Ontario that works to deliver public benefits through partnerships with the private sector. IO delivers large, complex public infrastructure projects using a made-in-Ontario modern procurement and project management practice called Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP). Infrastructure Ontario also partners with the private sector to manage one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada, provides municipalities and eligible public-sector clients with loans to renew public infrastructure, and leverages its private-sector expertise to advise the provincial public-sector clients on commercial transactions.

Visit   www.infrastructureontario.ca or www.ontario.ca/myontarioplace for more information.

Quotes:

Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
“We are one step closer to our goal of creating a new, landmark park and trail on the East Island - the first phase of the Ontario Place revitalization. The new park and trail will be open, accessible and welcoming to everyone, and will offer spectacular views of the lake and city. Families from across the province share fond memories of time spent at Ontario Place. This revitalization will build on that legacy for generations to come.”

Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
 “I am proud of our government's commitment to turn this land into green space that reconnects us to our waterfront, is accessible to all and celebrates Ontario's unique landcape.”

Contacts:

Mandy Downes
Infrastructure Ontario
416-327-5246

Christy Arnold
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
416-326-1724