Infrastructure Ontario and Kingston General Hospital (KGH) announced today that they have signed a contract with PCL Constructors Canada Inc. to build and finance the hospital's redevelopment project. 

The building team, led by PCL Constructors Canada Inc., includes financing arranged by The Toronto-Dominion Bank. The deal commits the PCL Constructors Canada Inc. team to build and finance the redevelopment project for $142.1 million; the hospital will pay PCL Constructors Canada Inc. this amount when the project reaches substantial completion in spring 2012. 

The Kingston General Hospital project includes a 170,000 square feet of new construction and renovations to the existing 143,000 square foot facility. 

The redevelopment project will create a more family oriented environment and improve patients' access to cancer care and kidney dialysis. Highlights of the redevelopment project include: 

  • More beds, added space and new units for: 
    o acute inpatient mental health; 
    o inpatient paediatrics; 
    o the medical surgical area allowing for more single and isolation rooms; and
    o kidney dialysis: a larger 40-station in-centre unit will be constructed.
  • Expanded and upgraded services for: 
    o Level 3 Intensive Care patients with: 
              • more beds (from 21 beds to a capacity of 33 beds); 
              • a family lounge area; and 
              • quiet consultation rooms. 
    o the cancer centre with: 
              • two new radiation bunkers; 
              • more than double the space for chemotherapy treatment;
              • a specialized clinic area for paediatric patients; and
  • the central processing services, which supports surgical services. 

The provincial government will fund 90 per cent of the project's eligible construction costs, 100% of eligible planning costs, and some specialized radiation therapy equipment. However, costs associated with other medical equipment and furniture are funded wholly by the hospital through funds raised by the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation. At the peak of construction, there will be more than 75 workers on site daily. 

“This marks an important milestone for Kingston General Hospital,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. “This redevelopment will enhance the quality of life and quality of care for families in the Kingston area that rely on the specialized cancer care and kidney dialysis services provided by KGH.” 

“By increasing services, patients will have better access to the care they need close to home in comfortable surroundings,” said MPP for Kingston and the Islands, John Gerretsen. “This redevelopment project will allow the hospital to better cope with the challenges of our aging population in south-eastern Ontario.” 

“After significant preparation, we welcome PCL Constructors Canada Inc. and the entire construction team to KGH. In effect, we are adding space equivalent to the new downtown K-Rock Centre and we're renovating 2.5 Memorial Centres. We are doing this while our dedicated staff continues to provide care to patients from across southeastern Ontario,” notes Ted Darby, Vice President of planning for Kingston's university hospitals. “We appreciate the support of the provincial government in helping to make this much-needed major expansion and renovations happen - it is a significant step in the renewal of our health sciences centre.” 

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Kingston General Hospital to redevelop and expand 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. 

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. 

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information.

Contacts:  

Amy Tang

Minister's Office 

Energy and Infrastructure 

416-327-6747 

Terence Foran 

Infrastructure Ontario 

416-325-2939 

Julie White 

Kingston General Hospital 

613-549-6666, Ext. 4245