People are a step closer to a new clinical support and research centre at St. Paul’s Hospital as the Province shortlists three proponents to participate in the request for proposal (RFP) to design and build the new centre.

“The past 20 months of this pandemic have amplified the importance of turning research and innovation into clinical practice that help save people’s lives,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The clinical support and research centre at the new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus will be a place for discovery, collaboration and learning, and will attract the best and brightest care providers, scientists and industry partners to deliver excellence and transform care.”

The clinical support and research centre at 1002 Station St. will be built directly adjacent to the future St. Paul’s Hospital at the Jim Pattison Medical Centre, with multi-building facilities that total approximately 74,000 square metres (800,000 square feet).

The three teams shortlisted to participate in the RFP stage are Greystar Canada Real Estate, Oxford Properties and NorthWest Healthcare Properties. The successful proponent will design and build the centre in collaboration with Providence Health Care.

“It’s exciting to see the project move forward with this next step in the procurement process,” said Melanie Mark, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. “The new St. Paul’s Hospital will work to ensure all British Columbians have access to high-quality, state-of-the-art health care. I am honoured to usher in this game-changing investment for Vancouver residents.”

The RFP will be issued to these teams in early 2022 and a successful proponent is expected to be announced in mid-2022.

“This is an important step as we get closer to having a new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus,” said Brenda Bailey, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek. “The research centre will bring the latest scientific findings and translate them into better health care for people in Vancouver and around B.C.”

The centre is expected to include an innovation centre, research and teaching programs, independent clinical researchers, infrastructure for emerging technology, such as 3D bio-printing, research data and analytics, medical offices for doctors and specialists and a 49-space daycare centre.

“This new state-of-the-art facility will be the cornerstone of Vancouver’s newest hub for research and innovation,” said Fiona Dalton, president and CEO of Providence Health Care. “The clinical support and research centre will bring together Providence’s patients, physicians, researchers, clinicians, corporate staff and leaders, along with industry players, academic partners and startups into one place to share ideas, collaborate on discoveries and innovate new medical advancements that will change the world.”

Dick Vollet, chief executive officer of St. Paul’s Foundation, said: “With a century-old culture driven by discovery and learning, research undertaken at the new clinical support and research centre will impact the health of Canadians for generations to come. We’re committed to raising $50 million in support of this purpose-built facility at the Jim Pattison Medical Centre.”

The cost of the new centre depends on the outcome of the RFP process and negotiations with the development partner, and will be shared between Providence Health Care, St. Paul’s Foundation and the development partner.