The Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) reached two major milestones today with the signing of historic agreements between government and the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and the short-listing of three proponents that will move to the next stage of the competitive selection process for this project.

The B.C. government's historic partnership with the OIB was celebrated today as Justice Minister and Attorney General Shirley Bond, OIB Chief Clarence Louie and Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government Ben Stewart signed two crucial contracts at a ceremony at the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre.

The contracts secure the future of the OCC project by laying out the details of the land lease and utilities service for a 60-year period, plus an option for an additional 20. The partnership to build the new correctional centre on OIB land is the first such partnership between BC Corrections and a First Nations in British Columbia.

Bond also announced the three teams selected to submit a proposal to design, build, partially finance and maintain the OCC project. BC Community Partners, Brookfield-EllisDon-Fengate Justice Partners, and Plenary Justice were selected through a thorough evaluation of submissions received through a Request for Qualifications and have now qualified to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

When completed, the new OCC will more than double corrections capacity in B.C.'s Interior and will enhance public safety for communities, correctional staff and inmates throughout the province. The OCC will also generate significant economic benefits for the region, including the creation of up to 500 direct and 500 indirect construction jobs, as well as approximately 240 new, full-time correctional positions when the centre opens.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General -

"The signing of these agreements secures the future of the Okanagan Correctional Centre and reflects a historic partnership between BC Corrections and the Osoyoos Indian Band. As we move into the Request for Proposal stage, we take one more major step towards the completion of this significant project. It is the centrepiece of the second phase of the largest capital expansion in BC Corrections' history and will increase corrections capacity to meet current and future demand. This project will see 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and 240 permanent jobs once the project is complete. It is an important part of our job creation strategy."

Ben Stewart, Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government -

"As a long-time resident of the Okanagan, I am honoured to be here on this historic day to participate in the signing of these important contracts with our partner, the Osoyoos Indian Band. The new Okanagan Correctional Centre will bring many benefits to both our region and the province - including approximately 1,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase - and I look forward to seeing its progress in the months and years ahead."

Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band -

"The signing of the land lease and utilities contracts with the government creates a long-term commitment to the project and builds on our band's history of success as a major economic driver in our region. Together, we are leading the way on this innovative partnership, which is the first of its kind between BC Corrections and a First Nations."

Petra Veintimilla, past president, South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce -

"The new Okanagan Correctional Centre will bring many tangible benefits to the South Okanagan. The combination of new jobs - both during construction and after completion - along with the many services that will be required by the centre, is great economic news for our region."

Quick Facts:

• Seven teams responded to the Request for Qualifications.

• RFP submissions are due by fall 2013, and the selection of the successful bidding team and the signing of a fixed-price, performance-based project agreement is expected by early 2014.

• Construction is expected to commence immediately afterwards, with the new OCC ready to open in the south Okanagan by 2016.

• The OCC will more than double corrections capacity in the Interior and contribute to an overall increase of almost 800 new cells on the Lower Mainland and in B.C.'s Interior and North since 2008.

• The 378-cell, high-security facility is the centrepiece of BC Corrections' second-phase capital expansion plan, and follows the $185-million first phase - the largest capital expansion in BC Corrections' history. The first phase includes:

• A 20-cell expansion for women at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre (opened in December 2010).

• 104 cells at Alouette Correctional Centre for Women (opened in October 2012).

• 216 cells at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre (scheduled to open in fiscal 2013-14).

• The facility will be designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

Learn more:

To learn more about the RFP for the Okanagan Correctional Centre, please visit: www.partnershipsbc.ca/files-4/project-occ.php

To find out more about BC Corrections, please visit: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/corrections/index.htm

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961

(flickr.com)

BACKGROUNDER

Profiles for shortlisted OCC proponent teams

Three prequalified proponents have been selected to participate in the RFP process and submit a proposal to design, build, partially finance and maintain the Okanagan Correctional Centre project.

RFP submissions are due by fall 2013, and the selection of the successful bidding team and the signing of a fixed-price, performance-based project agreement is expected by early 2014.

The three shortlisted proponent teams are:

Team: BC Community Partners

• Bouygues Building Canada Inc.

• Bouygues Energies & Services Canada Ltd.

• InfraRed Capital Partners Ltd.

• Omicron AEC Ltd.

• Integrus Architecture

• KMBR Architects Planners Inc.

Team: Brookfield-EllisDon-Fengate Justice Partners

• Brookfield Financial Corp.

• EllisDon Corporation

• Fengate Capital Management Ltd.

• AECOM Canada Architects Ltd.

• Kasian Architecture Planning & Interior Design Ltd.

• Johnson Controls Inc.

• Peter Tilt

Team: Plenary Justice

• Plenary Group (Canada) Ltd.

• PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.

• Honeywell Limited (Canada)

• DGBK Architects

• Jug Island Consulting Ltd.

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961