Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and West Park Healthcare Centre (WPHC) have issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a team to design, build, finance and maintain (DBFM) the facility’s hospital development project in Toronto (Canada).

The development project will see the construction of a new hospital building, providing inpatient, outpatient and outreach services to meet future demands for health care in Ontario.

The project will result in the construction of a new facility approximately 720,000 square feet and will also include:

• Demolition of three existing hospital buildings, Main, Ruddy and Gage buildings as well as the existing maintenance building.
• New campus entrance that will involve new public and private roads within the campus.
• Extension of utility services and the construction of parking areas.
• Expansion of green space and extensive landscaping for outdoor therapy areas and therapeutic gardens.

With deep expertise in rehabilitative medicine, WPHC helps patients get their lives back following from life-altering accidents and health challenges such as lung disease, amputation and spasticity — a debilitating symptom of stroke, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. A new hospital facility will help West Park transform its 27-acre site into an integrated campus of care to meet Ontario’s future health care needs. 

The project will also adhere to the guidelines and sustainability principles of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) rating system, with a goal of achieving the LEED® Silver certification or higher. LEED buildings focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and efficient use of energy, water and other resources.

The RFQ is the first step in the procurement process to select a team to deliver the project. Submissions will be reviewed to shortlist teams with the design and construction experience, as well as the qualified personnel and financial capacity, to deliver a project of this size and complexity. Shortlisted teams will be invited to respond to a request for proposals, expected to be released in winter 2017.

In advance of issuing the request for qualifications, IO and WPHC contracted HOK Architects Corporation (HOK) as the planning, design and compliance (PDC) team for the project. The PDC team establishes the guidelines and performance requirements the successful development team must meet when preparing their submissions for the project. HOK will also monitor construction progress and provide coordination and oversight services throughout the course of the project.

Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure said.

“The West Park Healthcare Centre redevelopment demonstrates our commitment to improving health care for Ontarians. Infrastructure investments, such as this one, help to provide high-quality facilities for residents and increase essential services for communities in Ontario. This project will boost job creation in the construction sector, and provide significant economic benefits to York region."

Bert Clark, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario stated: 

“West Park Healthcare Centre is a unique and exciting project. We are looking forward to getting this project into its first phase of procurement and working on this important redevelopment together.”