The Provincial Health Services Authority and BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) today to design and build a new facility to support those living with complex mental health and substance use issues on the Riverview lands.

“The development of the new Centre for Mental Health and Addiction facility ensures that those living with complex mental health challenges and substance use concerns will continue to have access to the best patient care and recovery support services for years to come,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “The RFQ is the first step towards this goal and is an important part of the overall community vision for the new Riverview lands.”

The new Centre for Mental Health and Addiction will be a 105-bed facility which will replace the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addiction in Burnaby. The new facility is expected to open in late 2019.

The RFQ is the first stage in the competitive selection process and invites qualified teams to express their interest in designing and building the new specialized mental health and substance use facility. A shortlist of three teams will be identified through the RFQ process to submit detailed designs.

“We are excited to be moving forward in building the new Centre for Mental Health and Addiction,” said Lynn Pelletier, vice president, BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. “The new 105-bed facility will provide enhanced care for those with severe mental health and substance use issues, and help patients safely reintegrate back into the community.”

The design of the new facility will improve the care for clients through the creation of enhanced therapeutic spaces that incorporate natural light and spectacular views of the Riverview lands and surrounding area. The building design will enable best practices in care for patients during the most acute phases of illness and support their long-term recovery within a safe and secure environment.

The location and design of the new facility will align with BC Housing’s visioning document which lays out strategies for a master development plan for the Riverview site. The vision balances priorities and needs of a wide range of stakeholders including community groups, non-profit organizations, the health care sector, the Kwikwetlem First Nation and the Province.

The RFQ can be viewed on the BC Bid website. Interested firms are expected to follow the new Apprentices on Public Projects in British Columbia policy. To learn more about the BC Housing vision for the Riverview lands, please visit: www.renewingriverview.com

To ensure the province’s range of mental health and substance use programs work effectively together, the province is developing an integrated, cross-government mental health and substance use strategy for B.C. The goal is to address key gaps in the current system and ensure individuals and families can access support services early, before they find themselves in a crisis.

Quick Facts:

• Riverview Lands is a 244-acre site in Coquitlam, home to 75 buildings.
• The B.C. government has held title to the land since 1904, and its primary use since 1913 has been mental healthcare (Riverview Hospital).
• In 2013, the Province gave BC Housing the mandate to create a plan for the future of Riverview. The visioning process began in early 2014.
• Throughout the visioning process, BC Housing worked closely with the Kwikwetlem First Nation, who identifies the Riverview Lands as part of their traditional territory. The parties entered a protocol agreement in advance of the vision process and are in on-going discussions regarding the future development of the Lands.

FACTSHEET: For a list of the comprehensive mental health services available in B.C., please visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/10837

A backgrounder follows.