VILLAGE OF A preferred proponent has been selected to design and build the new $50-million Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital.

"The announcement of the company that will design and build this new facility is an exciting step forward in the Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital replacement project," said Health Minister Terry Lake. "This project represents our ongoing commitment to investing in new health-care facilities and services for residents of northern B.C."

Bouygues (pronounced Bweeg) Building Canada has been selected as the preferred proponent to build the replacement hospital in partnership with architect Perkins+Will, which will design the new facility. The naming of the company follows an extensive evaluation of the three teams that were shortlisted to design and build the new hospital. The Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital is scheduled for completion in fall 2015.

The next stage in the process is to conclude negotiations with Bouygues Building Canada - a process that is expected to result in a fixed-priced agreement by summer 2013. Construction on the new hospital will begin immediately after the agreement is signed.

"We're looking forward to construction beginning on the new Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital this summer," said Carol Kulesha, Village of Queen Charlotte mayor and North West Regional Hospital District vice-chair. "It is exciting to have the preferred proponent selected, and I am looking forward to working with Bouygues Building Canada and Northern Health."

Haida Gwaii residents can get a sneak peak at the design for the new hospital at a community open house and update, which will be held on June 25, 2013.

"We are pleased to be finalizing negotiations with a world-class, experienced team, and we are looking forward to putting shovels in the ground this summer," said Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health's chief executive officer. "We're excited that Bouygues Building Canada will unveil the design of the Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital Replacement Project on June 25 at the community update event."

Once construction of the new hospital gets underway, it is expected that the project will provide stimulus for the local economy while generating approximately 189 direct jobs and 143 indirect jobs.

The replacement hospital will feature eight acute-care beds, plus one labour, delivery and recovery suite. A new home and community care wing with eight residential-care beds for clients with complex needs is also included as part of the project.

The newly reconfigured hospital layout will benefit the delivery of acute-care and emergency services and will include designated program space for diagnostic imaging, as well as laboratory and pharmacy services. An ambulatory/primary care centre will provide modern facility space for the delivery of public, mental health and addictions programs, as well as home and community care services.

The new building will be green and energy efficient built to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, and will optimize the use of wood consistent with the Wood First Act. The total value of the replacement hospital is $50 million, and funding will be cost-shared by the Province and North West Regional Hospital District.

A fairness adviser, John Singleton, Singleton Urquhart LLP, was appointed to oversee and monitor the entire evaluation process to ensure that it was fair and followed the requirements outlined in the Request for Proposals. The report of the fairness adviser concluded that the process for selecting the preferred proponent was open, fair and equitable. The fairness adviser's report will be made publicly available once completed on Partnerships BC's website at: www.partnershipsbc.ca

Media Contacts:

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

Northern Health
250 961-7724