Northern Health has issued a tender for site preparation work for the new Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital Replacement project. Advanced site preparation will lay the groundwork for major construction of the new hospital to begin in summer 2013, and ensure the project remains on schedule.

"The early works tender will prepare the site for the construction, which will get underway later this year," said Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. "When the new hospital opens it will provide better care to patients as well as benefit health professionals."

"Each step brings us closer to a new hospital," said Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Ida Chong. "With residential-care beds as well as space for out-patient care such as public-health services, the new hospital will help reduce the need to leave the island for specialized care."

Site preparation work will include protection for the existing hospital and health centre, setting up site accesses for construction crews, and preparing the site for the new facility.

"We have been waiting in anticipation for work to begin on the site since the project announcement in April," said Carol Kulesha, North West Regional Hospital District board member and Village of Queen Charlotte mayor. "It will be wonderful to get the site preparation work underway after the contract is awarded."

Site preparation work is expected to start in the winter of 2013 and finish by the spring of 2013.

At the same time, the competitive selection process to select a design-builder to deliver the Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital Replacement continues. Northern Health expects to choose a preferred proponent and award a contract in summer 2013, with design-build activities commencing shortly afterwards.

"The site preparation work will be the first activity seen on the construction site, it is an exciting milestone for the project," said Penny Anguish, Northern Health chief operating officer for the northwest.

The Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital Replacement project was announced by government on April 12, 2012. The total project will cost approximately $50 million. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2015.

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

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Northern Health
250 961-1174