Infrastructure Ontario and St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital have shortlisted four companies to build and finance the hospital's Emergency, Ambulatory and Mental Health Redevelopment Project.

Based on a request for qualifications process that began in August 2014, the following companies were shortlisted:

• Bondfield Construction Company Limited
• Elite Construction Inc.
• EllisDon Corporation
• Pomerleau Inc.

The project will result in a three-storey addition to the existing hospital, which will be constructed on the northwest side of the current hospital building. The new addition will be approximately 104,000 square feet and include the redevelopment of the:

• emergency department
• surgical suite
• sterile processing department (SPD)
• acute mental health unit with 15 inpatient beds and ambulatory services

The companies will be invited to respond to a request for proposals, expected to be issued in early 2015.

Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, stated:

"This is a very exciting announcement, bringing us one step closer to improving health care for patients in St. Thomas and the surrounding area. The St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Redevelopment Project is a great example of our government's commitment to providing Ontarians with high-quality health care that's close to home."

Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment, and Infrastructure, commented:

"Our government is investing in important infrastructure upgrades with a continued focus on maximizing the value of taxpayer money and providing state-of-the-art services to Ontarians.  This expansion project will stimulate substantial economic development in the community, and leave it with high-quality health care infrastructure for years to come."

St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) is a 166-bed facility providing comprehensive 24-hour coverage in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Anesthesia, Emergency and Family Medicine.