South Niagara Hospital site at the corner of Montrose and Biggar roads in Niagara Falls. What was for many years just a sign and an unused farmer’s field will soon see shovels in the ground, as the more than $1 billion project is set to commence fall 2022. Photo credit: Niagara Health
On July 21, Infrastructure Ontario and Niagara Health shortlisted three prequalified teams for consideration to design, build, finance, and maintain the South Niagara Hospital site at the corner of Montrose and Biggar roads in Niagara Falls.
Teams were prequalified based on criteria identified in a request for qualifications process that began in February 2021. According to Infrastructure Ontario, teams were selected based on design, construction and facilities management capability, experience, qualified personnel, and financial capacity to undertake a project of such scope and size.
“We are yet again marking a significant milestone for the South Niagara Site,” said Lynn Guerriero, president and interim CEO of Niagara Health. “Amidst the pandemic, our staff, physicians and the Niagara community have come together and dedicated their time to provide their input and feedback to ensure we continue to meet our schedule and deliver a world-class facility deserving of our residents.”
The prequalified teams and their prime team members are:
EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare (EDIH)
- Applicant Lead: EllisDon Corporation
- Design Team: Parkin Architects Limited
- Construction Team: EllisDon Corporation
- Facilities Management: EllisDon Facilities Services
- Financial Advisor: EllisDon Capital Inc.
Niagara Care Partners
- Applicant Leads: Amico Concessions Inc, Sacyr Concesiones, S.l., and SNC-Lavalin Capital Inc.
- Design Team: IBI Group Architects (Canada) Inc.
- Construction Team: Sacyr Construccion, S.A and Amico Design Build Inc.
- Facilities Management: Sacyr Concesiones, S.L, SNS-Lavalin O&M Inc, and Amico Concessions Inc.
- Financial Advisor: MUFG Bank Ltd
Plenary PCL Niagara Health
- Applicant Leads: Plenary Americas LP and PCL Investments Inc.
- Design Team: Cannon Design Ltd.
- Construction Team: PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
- Facilities Management: Johnson Controls Canada L.P
- Financial Advisor: Plenary Americas LP
Request for proposals will be issued to the three shortlisted teams later this year. Together, the province and Niagara Health will then evaluate the submissions and select a preferred group, before negotiating a final contract for the project. The successful bidder is expected to be revealed later in 2022.
Financial close and ground-breaking are still scheduled to take place fall 2022.
“Together with Infrastructure Ontario, we are encouraged that the RFQ generated interest from leading private-sector teams who qualify to bring our new hospital to fruition,” commented Niagara Health board chair Bunny Alexander.
“We look forward to seeing the full proposals from the shortlisted teams, our final step before getting shovels in the ground.”
The approximately 1.2 million square foot, 11-storey facility and its accompanying features are slated for completion in fall 2026. The hospital is currently devised as Canada’s first WELL-certified healthcare facility.
Recognized worldwide and throughout the architectural community, WELL certification ensures buildings are designed to best promote the health and well-being of all occupants, be it staff, patients, or visitors. The holistic approach to design and construction is based on 10 key concepts: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community.
Designed with the next age of innovation in mind, efforts will be made to have technology seamlessly integrate with hospital operations and recede into the background, out of sight for patients.
“Having a new facility — one that aims to be Canada’s first WELL-certified healthcare facility — will help transform the health care experience and quality of care for residents, filling a much-needed infrastructure deficit in the region and benefiting the community for generations to come,” said Michael Lindsay, president and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario.
Along with being WELL-certified, the new South Niagara Hospital site will include a 24/7 emergency department, diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical services; medical, surgical and intensive care inpatient beds; ambulatory services, as well as post-acute Complex Continuing Care (CCC) inpatient services; and Centres of Excellence specializing in stroke, complex care, geriatric/geriatric psychiatry and wellness in aging.
