Ottawa Construction News staff writer
EllisDon has started work on a four-year, $371.4 million redevelopment project at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa.
Company representatives, with political leaders, and hospital, community and First Nations representatives participated in a design unveiling ceremony at the site last Monday (Nov. 7) as crews started early work on the project’s first stage – a new parking garage.
The 1Door4Care building – designed as an integrated treatment centre for children with complex conditions – will be built on the site of the hospital’s existing surface visitor’s parking lot. This is why the parking structure needs to be built first, said Wayne Ferguson, Ellis Don’s senior vice-president and Ottawa area manager.
The new 6-storey, approximately 200,000-sq. ft. building will be connected by a link to the main hospital and offer services for children and youth living with complex medical, developmental, behavioural and mental health needs.
The design team includes Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc., Vertechs Design Inc., WalterFedy, Mulvey & Banani International Inc., H. H. Angus and Associates Limited, Entuitive Corporation.
Inspired by Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land, the new building incorporates elements of nature such as native plants in the landscaping, biophylics representing flora and fauna from the Algonquin lands. The building will include a multi-use clinic space, a physiotherapy rehab gym, expanded mental health clinics, an indoor and outdoor multi-use space, a space for children and youth with complex emotional needs, state-of-the-art treatment rooms, advanced technology to enable virtual care, family support and community spaces as well as a new parking structure, the hospital says in a statement.
“Our team is excited to be part of this great project that will improve health services offered to families, children, and youth across eastern Ontario, Ferguson said. “As lead contractor, we are committed to delivering a new facility with the highest level of quality that best serves patients’ needs.”
Infrastructure Ontario is co-ordinating the project, with funding from the Children, Community and Social Services ministry.
“This is another example of our government continuing to deliver major infrastructure projects to ensure people across Ontario have access to high-quality health care services they need and deserve,” said Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma. “As one of over 20 Public Private Partnership (P3) projects currently under construction, this project is an example of how Infrastructure Ontario’s P3 model helps to manage risk and protect taxpayer dollars.”
EllisDon Corporation is leading the project, with the financial advisor listed in IO documents as EllisDon Capital Inc.
