BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, reached a critical milestone today with the announcement of the three qualified proponents shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the competitive selection process to design and build the new Centre for Mental Health and Addictions.

“The announcement of the three proponents brings us a step closer to opening the doors of the new Centre for Mental Health and Addictions,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “The B.C. government’s support for this centre demonstrates our commitment to caring for adults from across the province living with serious mental-health and substance-use issues.”

Slated to open in 2019, the new 105-bed facility will be located on the Riverview lands in Coquitlam. It will replace the current Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions. The new facility will be a more-therapeutic space for those living with complex mental-health challenges and substance-use issues.

Seven teams responded to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ), which closed on June 30, 2016. Following evaluation of the responses, the three teams invited to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage are:

• Graham Design Builders LP
• PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
• EllisDon Corporation- Parkin Architects Limited

The RFP is expected to be issued to the three shortlisted proponents on Oct. 6, 2016. BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services and the Provincial Health Services Authority plan to award the contract in spring 2017. Construction of the new facility is expected to begin in fall 2017.

“The three proponents understand the important role the design of the new centre will play in the recovery of those living with complex mental-health and substance-use issues,” said Lynn Pelletier, vice president, BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services. “We look forward to seeing the innovative and creative designs that will be put forward in the next phase of this process.”

The new facility will improve care for clients through the creation of healing 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 Ministry of Health, through funding provided to the Provincial Health Services Authority, has committed $100.86 million in capital funding for designing and building the new centre. The facility aligns with BC Housing’s visioning document which outlines strategies for a master development plan for the Riverview site.

Quick facts:

• Riverview Lands is a 98.7-hectare (244-acre) site in Coquitlam, home to 75 buildings.
• The new Centre for Mental Health and Addictions is a 105-bed facility that will allow the team of mental-health and addictions experts to provide specialized care for patients with some of the most-complex issues;
• The new facility will include enhanced therapeutic spaces that incorporate natural light and open views of the Riverview grounds;
• The building design will contribute to wellness and healing and enable best practices for care during the most-acute phases of illness;
• This facility will encourage long-term recovery in a safe, secure and therapeutic environment;
• The location and design of this facility aligns with BC Housing’s visioning document for the master redevelopment of the Riverview site;
• BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services provides the highest level of specialized (“tertiary”) care, and has oversight of specialized programs in British Columbia.

Learn More:

To learn more about the BC Housing vision for the Riverview lands, please visit: www.renewingriverview.com

To access the BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services site, please visit: http://www.bcmhsus.ca/

For more information on the Provincial Health Services Authority, please visit: www.phsa.ca

A backgrounder follows.