Project planning continues for a new $200 million mental health facility on the grounds of the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, N.L.
The new building will replace the Waterford Hospital, the oldest mental health facility in North America.
At a Market Sounding session held at the recent Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships annual national conference held in Toronto, Newfoundland assistant deputy minister for infrastructure Cory Grandy gave an update on the work being done and what’s to come for the new facility.
Whomever takes on the project will be responsible for all aspects of design, construction, maintenance and life cycle rehabilitation as well as “soft services” such as utilities management, security and information technology, Grandy said.
A key part of the project will be the demolition and replacement of the Agnes Cowan Hostel, located in the Health Sciences Centre complex. The current 100-bed hostel will be replaced by the 94-bed mental health and addictions facility along with a new hostel. A new parking garage with 500 spaces will also be built.
Enabling works include the demolition of the hostel and berm installation, Grandy said.
“We know that the hostel has to be replaced. It’s possible we will take the hostel outside of the P3 project, but know the hostel has to be built,” Grandy said.
There is also an existing flood risk on the site which predates the project, he added, hence the need for the berm.
In building the facility there is an aspect of “remodelling” the existing ER, Grandy said.
“The marriage between the new and the existing facility, as I picture it in my head, is in the ER,” Grandy said.
Connection points exist on all four floors, he added.
The mental health facility was first announced by Newfoundland Premier Dwight Ball in March 2018.
“This announcement marks our new approach to supporting those with mental health and addictions challenges. We are leaving behind the Victorian institutional model of psychiatric care symbolized by the Waterford Hospital,” Ball said in March.
A request for quote will be put out in November, followed by a request for proposals in spring 2019 and site work and demolition in summer 2019. A preferred proponent will be selected in 2020 and construction will be begin soon after, with completion anticipated in 2023/24.
“We’re open to innovation and best practices from the private sector,” Grandy said, and indicated the project agreement will be based on the British Columbia template as well as referencing other Newfoundland P3 projects.
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