The contract for the site preparation work for the Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital Replacement project has been awarded to Naikoon Contracting Limited.

Naikoon Contracting Limited is scheduled to begin the site preparation work on April 1, 2013, and finish in the summer of 2013.

"It is great news that site preparation activities will be getting underway soon so that hospital construction can begin this summer," said Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. "A new hospital and health-centre project will provide better care for families on Haida Gwaii as well as a better environment for the dedicated health professionals who work here."

Naikoon Contracting Limited is a North Vancouver based contracting company. Currently, the company is constructing the new Masset airport terminal building.

"I am very pleased and look forward to seeing activity beginning on the site of the new Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital," said Carol Kulesha, Village of Queen Charlotte mayor and North West Regional Hospital District vice-chair. "This is another important step forward to complete the project in 2015."

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. The temporary health clinic renovation project is proceeding as a separate component.

"Completing site preparation work will ensure the design-build team selected to deliver the project will be able to get to work on-site shortly after the contract is awarded this summer," said Shelia Gordon-Payne, Northern Health northwest health service administrator.

As site preparation is in progress, the competitive selection process to select the successful design-build team for the hospital project continues. The request for proposals was issued to the three shortlisted teams in December 2012 and the selection of a preferred proponent and contract award is anticipated late spring 2013. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and be completed in fall 2015.

The Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii hospital replacement project was announced by government on April 12, 2012. The total capital cost of the project is estimated at $50 million.

More information on the Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii hospital replacement project is available at: www.northernhealth.ca

Media Contacts:

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

Northern Health
250 961-7724 (media line)