Northern Health today released a tender for site preparation for the new Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre.

As the site preparation is not included in the design-build procurement package, it is running as a separate tender competition, with work expected to start in August 2012 and finish in late 2012.

"Site preparation is an important first step in the construction of a new hospital in Burns Lake," said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad on behalf of Health Minister Michael de Jong. "The new hospital has been my number-one health capital priority for some time, and once completed, with benefit families and health professionals alike for years to come."

Site preparation will include removal of existing building services, installing new water and sanitary sewer services for the new facility, relocation and removal of portions of the perimeter fencing, and abatement and movement of the existing nurse's residence including disposal of the existing nurse's residence concrete foundations.

"What a wonderful opportunity for the residents of the Lakes District to access health services in a state-of-the-art facility," said April Hughes, Northern Health health service administrator for Lakes/Omenica. "Such a beautiful building will provide a well-designed environment to serve the communities better. An up-to-date facility with the latest health-related technology will assist in attracting and retaining physicians and other professionals."

As the site preparation is in progress, the procurement process for the design-build contract for the Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre Replacement continues. The preferred proponent for the design-build contract is expected to be announced in March 2013, and construction to be completed by the summer of 2015.

The Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre Replacement project was announced by government on April 12, 2012. The total project will cost approximately $50 million to $55 million.

More information on the site preparation contract is available at: www.bcbid.ca

Media Contacts :

Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Northern Health
250 961-7724 (media line)