(Kitchener, Ontario) Community Renewable  Energy Waterloo(CREW) is hosting green home construction tours this month to  educate local citizens and business people about the benefits of building and  buying “green” homes. The tours will help demonstrate the advantages of the City  of Kitchener’s progressive new Kitchener Green Housing Incentive Program to promote and encourage Leadership in  Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) certified building  practices, which reduce energy and water demands, and lower greenhouse-gas  emissions.  

Today and tomorrow, sold-out technical tours will cater to more than  100 local professionals from fields such as home construction, design, real  estate and home inspection.These tours take place at Kitchener’s  LEED Platinum Ontario Green Home. This super-efficient LEED Platinum  model home, built by Reid’s Heritage Homes, earned the first of many $5000  cheques available through the city’s incentive program.(http://ontariogreenhome.com/)

 On Saturday My 28th, the public gets their chance to see  this home and others, through a full-day bus tour. Each bus will also visit  three of these super-efficient, water-wise, healthy and comfortable local homes:

·REEP House for Sustainable Living: a century home retrofit
·Eastforest Homes Discovery Home Educational Centre 
·Terra-View Homes LEED certified CambridgeShire model home
·Small is Beautiful Home: a private ‘infill’ home showcasing healthy green features in a smaller home 

The May 28th tours are open to the public for just $5  including lunch by advance registration. Details below. 

Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW), a local not for profit  promoting conservation and renewable energy options, proposed Kitchener’s green  housing incentive program in collaboration with the city’s building division.  CREW board member, Glen Woolner, says “There are already incentives in place  at the provincial and federal levels to make older buildings more efficient. We  applaud the City of Kitchener for creating this incentive for new homes so that  these homes will be built well and green from the start.”

Funding for these educational tours was made possible through the  City’s Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF). 

For our details and registration:www.CREWgreenhometours.eventbrite.com
More information:  www.kitchener.ca/greenhousing/www.crewzone.ca
 
 
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Online PR News – 17-May-2011 –Scarborough, Ontario - May 2011 – Professional services firm Underground Engineering Services (UES) has announced the launch of their new website http://www.undergroundengineering.ca, in an effort to provide accessible and in-depth information about their underground utility information services. Underground Engineering Services (UES)  caters to municipalities, consulting engineers, surveyors, project owners and  private property owners in need of underground utility layouts before breaking  ground on new construction projects.

 “With the launch of our new website, our clients will find a wealth of information about our services. We have online service agreement forms  and homeowners’ service agreement forms easy and convenient for clients to use  and request services”, said Ophir Wainer, Manager at the firm.

 Headquartered in Canada, Underground Engineering Services (UES) has completed over 500 underground utility projects for clients both large  and small. UES has service specialties that include: Design/Pre-Engineering  Locates, Subsurface Utility Engineering, Private Property Locates, Locates  Project Management, Construction Pick-Line, Records Confirmation/Correction,  Tracer Wire Certification, Municipal Waterbox Marking , Sewer Lateral Locates,  Pipe Camera Inspections, and Confined Space Entry. UES also offers an Emergency  Locates service hotline that can be utilized after hours. The UES website has an  in-depth gallery of high quality pictures that give clients a view of how the  firm conducts their work.

 For detailed information on the services Underground Engineering services provides, please visit their web site at http://www.undergroundengineering.ca.

 
 
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Real estate firm's move to sustainable building underscores company's commitment to social responsibility
TORONTO, May 16 /CNW/ - Mark E. Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young, Canada's largest independently-owned commercial real estate services company, announced today that the company will be relocating its global corporate headquarters to PwC Tower (18 York Street) at Southcore Financial Centre (SFC), British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (bcIMC)'s new development that is being built to target Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification. SFC is located in Toronto's emerging southcore financial district.

 Avison Young's move to this mixed-use sustainable development reinforces the commercial real estate brokerage firm's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The lease transaction closed on May 6, 2011.

Avison Young's 60 head office employees plan to relocate in the second quarter of 2012 from 150 York Street, where the firm has been based for the past 12 years.

Developed by GWL Realty Advisors Inc. on behalf ofbcIMC, the new tower is currently under construction and will comprise 650,000 square feet (sf) over 26 floors when complete in fall 2011. Comprising highly efficient office premises, the building is designed with leading-edge technologies and sustainable features, while targeting rigorous LEED® Gold standards.

"Avison Young continues to embrace sustainability as a strategic option, and in accordance with advice we routinely give our clients," comments Rose. "Avison Young is setting the example for its peer group by the need to reduce our carbon footprint and drive standards for sustainability throughout the industry. As we continue to execute on our growth plans for global expansion, this facility will act as a benchmark for new office standards within the organization."

 PwC Tower is phase one of the SFC complex at the northwest corner of York and Bremner Streets in downtown Toronto. The next phase of SFC's development includes a second office building - the 30-storey, 700,000-sf Bremner Tower, and the 45-storey Delta Toronto - a next-generation, premium four-star hotel.

 SFC's 1.4 million sf of office space is designed by award-winning KPMB Architects. The Delta Toronto is designed by Page + Steele / IBI Architects. All three buildings will be connected by more than 14,000 sf of
urban forest areas and pedestrian walkways.

 "We are pleased to confirm Toronto as our global headquarters and look forward to locating our flagship office in what will be one of Canada's newest LEED® Gold-certified buildings," says Rose. "Sustainability is becoming a strategic imperative for all businesses and it is important that our industry plays an active role in climate change mitigation."

 "We have enjoyed our current location over the past decade and look forward to serving our clients from SFC," adds Avison Young Principal Craig Tresham, who acted on behalf of Avison Young in the transaction. "The new state-of-the-art green building and working environment will reinforce the development of customer relationships and business growth. There is no longer any doubt that these high-performance buildings create a healthier, more productive environment."

 Avison Young Principal Mark Fieder concurs: "Floor-to-ceiling glass will allow natural light to reach all parts of the new office. Together with the extensive use of interior glass walls, the effect will be a bright, vibrant space for clients and employees. The building will also utilize occupancy lighting sensors and feature several green roofs and urban garden areas."

 LEED®-certified buildings are generally designed to save energy, produce lower greenhouse-gas emissions, use less water and other resources, and provide a high-quality indoor working environment.

 The class AAA building will utilize raised-floor technology, resulting in up to 30% less energy consumed to comfortably condition space, and better air quality.

 In addition, the building will tap into Enwave's Deep Lake Water Cooling system, which uses the cool energy in cold water to air-condition highrise buildings in downtown Toronto, thus reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. PwC Tower will also be the first building in Toronto to install a large storage cistern to take advantage of off-peak pricing and to reduce drain on the city's electrical grid.

 Located two blocks north of the Gardiner Expressway, the full-block complex in the southern part of Toronto's downtown core will include retail and restaurant amenities and enclosed pedestrian connections to Union Station, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and PATH underground walkway.

 "This move is not just about a change of address. It's about creating a sustainable workplace, setting a standard for a best-in-class working environment for staff and clients, and supporting green real estate practices," adds Avison Young Principal Robin White. "Sustainability is firmly on the corporate agenda."

Over the past two years, Avison Young has grown from 11 to 23 offices and from 300 to more than 700 real estate professionals across Canada and in the U.S.

 In addition to its head office, the company's Ontario operations include a property management office in downtown Toronto, as well as brokerage operations in Guelph, Mississauga, Toronto North and Ottawa.
 
 
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New tool helps construction connect with immigrant workers
OTTAWA, May 16 /CNW/ - As the traditional construction workforce shrinks, new resources such as the Construction Employer's Roadmap from the Construction Sector Council (CSC) can help industry leaders connect with immigrant workers to meet growing labour needs.

 "The industry is growing steadily, but over the next decade, construction will lose a quarter of its workforce thanks to retirements," says CSC Executive Director George Gritziotis, pointing to the organization's latest Construction Looking Forward forecast reports.

"Though a growing labour pool of skilled immigrant workers are available to help replenish the workforce, recruiting and retaining these workers is sometimes a challenge for employers," he says.

Among other things, the new guide book is geared to helping employers and others involved in human resources management navigate government programs, assess foreign credentials, and help immigrant workers put their best foot forward when seeking opportunities to work in construction.

A Construction Employer's Roadmap provides employers with information on the role of employment agencies and immigration consultants, and provides an overview of Canada's immigration programs and the different paths open to permanent residents, temporary residents and workers outside of Canada. The roadmap offers advice on how to assess experience obtained in other countries, make job offers, develop orientation programs and retain workers.

 Funded by the Foreign Credential Referral Office of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the booklet is available in hard copy and electronically with hyperlinks to other useful resources and websites.

 "The Government of Canada is proud to support the work of the Construction Sector Council, as we know that within the next few years, most of Canada's labour force growth will come from immigration," said Jason Kenney, Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism. "Attracting and retaining the best international talent to address existing and future labour market challenges is critical to our economic success."

"Immigrant workers can bring many benefits to the industry," says Gritziotis, "such as the ability to speak different languages, a knowledge of new cultures, and a network of connections − all of which can help employers to compete in new markets.

"With the proper tools to help them integrate, they will sustain one of Canada's leading industries well into the future."

The CSC is a national industry/government partnership funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. For more information on these and other CSC products and services, visit www.csc-ca.org.

 
 
TORONTO, May 16
/CNW/ - The founding partners of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (KPMB), Bruce Kuwabara, Thomas Payne, Marianne McKenna and Shirley Blumberg are pleased to announce the appointment of new principals, senior associates, associates and directors in the firm. The collective talent and expertise of the twenty-five new appointees has contributed to designing buildings and spaces of architectural excellence.  This announcement marks a new phase of leadership, inspired by the philosophy of creative collaboration embraced by the practice.

The new appointments include four Principals: Christopher Couse, Mitchell Hall, Luigi LaRocca, and Goran Milosevic; four Senior Associates: Andrew Dyke, David Jesson, Robert Sims, and Judith Taylor.  As well, new Associates are appointed: Kevin Bridgman, Steven Casey, Mark Jaffar, Carolyn Lee, Glenn MacMullin, Meika McCunn, Kael Opie, John Peterson, Paulo Rocha, Dave Smythe, Kevin Thomas, Brent Wagler, Bruno Weber and Matthew Wilson, and three Directors: Phyllis Crawford (Finance), Philip Marjeram (Information Technology), and Amanda Sebris (Marketing).

Contemporary architecture must create supportive platforms for people, organizations and institutions to thrive and contribute to cultural, environmental and civic sustainability. The sustainability of the studio is a result of the combined skills of an energetic team of 95 men and women with aligned values - dedication to practicing architecture at the highest level, delivering exceptional built environments, and providing a high level of service to extraordinary clients, who also are KPMB's partners in creating the work.


About KPMB Architects
KPMB is one of Canada's leading architectural practices. When founded in 1987, the goal was to form an alternative model to the sole practitioner. This model, based on integrated team work, acknowledges the reality of the art of architecture as a collaborative endeavor. KPMB has developed a diverse portfolio of award-winning work throughout North America and Europe and is the recipient of more than 150 awards, including 11 Governor General's Medals, Canada's highest honour for architectural achievement.


This year, the firm will celebrate the opening of a series of high-profile
projects including the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, the Balsillie Campus at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in Waterloo, and 18 York, part of Toronto's new Southcore Financial Centre. In 2012, the firm looks forward to the
completion of the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre at the
University of Waterloo, and Rotman School of Management at the University of
Toronto.


Future projects to watch for are: the Art
Gallery of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Orchestra Hall for the Minnesota
Symphony Orchestra in Minneapolis, and the new
Music and Theatre Arts Building at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) in Cambridge.


About the New Leaders
For biographies and photos of the new
appointees at KPMB Architects, click on links at www.kpmbarchitects.com

 
 
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TORONTO, May 12 /CNW/ - Aecon Group Inc (TSX:ARE) announced today that its Industrial Division has been awarded two construction contracts from Union Gas totalling $26 million.  Under the contracts, Aecon is providing comprehensive construction services, including project management, at two natural gas compressor stations wholly owned by Union Gas Limited.

 At the Lobo site, located near London, Ontario, Aecon is reworking and expanding existing yard piping, as well as electrical and instrumentation yard modifications and additions. Substantial completion of the Lobo project is expected in October 2011.

 At the Dawn J site, located near Chatham, Ontario, Aecon's scope consists of a new compressor and driver package installation, electrical, instrumentation and controls work. Fabrication of large bore pipe spools for both sites will be performed at Aecon Industrial's Cambridge facility.  Completion of the Dawn J project is expected in August 2011.

 "Our relationship with Union Gas is a good example of Aecon's ability to provide clients with one solution for their varied construction needs," said Ian Turnbull, President of Aecon Industrial, Central Canada Division. "In addition to the compressor, piping and fabrication work announced today, Aecon's various divisions also provide natural gas service installations for Union Gas throughout Ontario, and have built several local offices for them as well.  This ability, along with our shared commitment to providing a safe work environment, has made Union Gas one of our longest standing clients." 

Aecon Group Inc. is Canada's largest, publicly traded construction and infrastructure development company. Aecon and its subsidiaries provide services to private and public sector clients throughout Canada and on a selected basis internationally. Aecon is pleased to be recognized as one of the Best Employers in Canada
as published by Maclean's Magazine.
 
 
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NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 05/10/2011 - CCA’s Civil Infrastructure Council launched a website to help Canadian youth explore careers in civil construction. The website features testimonials, resources and information on various civil careers’ duties, conditions, education and salary.

      Canadian Construction Association’s Civil Infrastructure Council last week launched a new website aimed mainly at high school and college students but applicable to anyone looking for information on civil construction careers. Civil construction, also called heavy construction, has to do with infrastructure like roads, tunnels, bridges and dams.

“The civil construction sector offers a whole gamut of careers from project managers to technicians, estimators, to heavy equipment operators. This site provides young people exploring career options with information about the industry and the resources they will need to get their careers in civil construction started,” said Gilbert Brulotte, Chair of the CCA’s Civil Infrastructure Council.

Hear Why People Choose Civil Construction
The website complements numerous efforts underway nationwide to promote civil construction. Featured prominently on the website are video testimonials by young adults who explain why they chose civil construction. Many of the stories emphasize the endless opportunities for advancement. For example Marcel tells about how it all started as a summer job after high school and how he has worked his way up to project manager, making good money and managing a team of people. In one of the videos, Michael Atkinson, President of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), highlights why construction is such an attractive field for young people: “We have an aging workforce. We are told that by the year 2018, we are going to have to find 400,000 new people just to replace those retiring and to keep pace with the demand for our industry. ”

About Civil Careers
The website has a section, divided into corporate functions, road and highway, tunnel as well as sewer and watermain, that describes civil careers. Under each area, several careers are featured with information on duties, work conditions, essential skills and education. A salary range is included for each career. “This website is a great tool for guidance counsellors and local construction associations to use for career education at the high school and college levels,” said Mr. Brulotte.

Find Local Resources
The website provides a central launching point for information on civil construction careers. On the homepage, a user can choose a province and drill down to their city to explore resources like government departments and programs, local colleges and associations. “We wanted to gather resources in one place to make it easier for people to find information on civil construction careers,” said Brulotte and continued,“I hope that this website helps attract young people as well as others contemplating changing careers to civil construction.”

For more information visit careersincivilconstruction.ca/.

 
 
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Victoria, British Columbia CANADA, May 10, 2011 /FSC/ - Carmanah Technologies Corporation (CMH - TSX, QCX - FWB, CMHXF - OTC Pink Sheets),has been awarded a contract valued at approximately $1.8 million (CAD) to provide solar grid-tied PV systems for two elementary schools in Southern Ontario. Architects and planners for both schools considered the integration of a solar PV system early in the building's design process. This, in combination with the School District's continued support of sustainable energy and available funding through the Renewable Energy Funding for schools program, contributed to the District's decision to adopt the two solar PV systems. Carmanah was awarded both contracts based on the Canadian technology company's successful history in the solar PV industry. This year, Carmanah celebrates its 10-year anniversary in the Canadian solar grid-tie industry.  

As part of the Ministry of Education's Energy Management and Conservation Initiative through the Renewable Energy Funding for schools program, the School Board will construct two facilities in Grimsby, Ontario. While offering immediate benefits such as reducing energy consumption, each integrated solar power system will generate revenue for the district through the Ontario Power Authority Feed-In-Tariff Program.

Each school will be outfitted with a 100 kW rooftop system, consisting of more than 500 solar modules as well as a web-enabled data monitoring system where the collected information will be accessible for educational purposes.  The grid-tie PV structure will be incorporated into the sloped infrastructure of the building with the arrays large enough to be seen from ground level. Once installed, the new system will showcase the School District's movement towards alternative energy solutions.

Carmanah has a history of successful solar projects with schools across Canada. Ted Lattimore, Carmanah CEO said, "we are encouraged by the direction school districts are taking with regards to sustainable energy saving initiatives, such as the investment in a solar grid-tie system."  

Over the last decade, Carmanah has installed and designed solar PV systems for various public and private schools and has partnered with the Ministry of Energy and Mines in British Columbia on the BC Solar for Schools pilot project - a program designed to teach students about the potential of alternative energy and climate change. These recent projects in Ontario will mark the Company's 10th assignment as the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contractor with a Canadian elementary or secondary school.

For more information on this or other solar grid-tie applications within Canada, contact Richard Wayte at rwayte@carmanah.com, or visit the Company's website at www.carmanah.com.


About Carmanah Technologies Corporation

Carmanah Technologies Corporation is a global provider of renewable and energy-efficient technologies. From its headquarters in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and office in Toronto, Ontario, the company's Grid-Tie division oversees the design, supply, and installation of solar photovoltaic grid-tied systems for commercial, industrial and institutional applications. As one of the most trusted names in solar technology, Carmanah has installed more grid-tie solar power systems than any other integrator or EPC contractor in Canada, including the City of Toronto Police Services building, the Toronto Parking Authority, the David Suzuki Public School, and the Jean Canfield Government Building in Prince Edward Island - named Canada's 2008 Solar Project of the Year by the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA). Carmanah is a publicly traded company, with common shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CMH". For more information, visit www.carmanah.com.

 
 
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In the last issue of the Canadian Design & Construction Report magazine, Rob Dembo, Founder & CEO of Zerofootprint, wrote about re-skinning – or re-cladding – the exterior  envelope of older, existing buildings to improve energy efficiency.

Continuing along the same themes – building envelopes and energy efficiency -- whether wrapping or replacing an existing envelope with a new system, or designing a new building altogether, the challenges to maintain technical integrity and improve energy efficiency remain the same for the design and construction industry.

For example, one major challenge is avoiding thermal or cold bridging, where heat or cold strays into or out through the building’s enclosure by means of a conductive, non-insulating material or a mix of materials touching each other. The heat or cold, naturally, wants to run along the path of least thermal resistance, decreasing both energy efficiency and technical integrity along the way.

Bridges are usually found repeating themselves, such as metal ties in a cavity wall, or the window frames; or non-repeating bridges such as lintels piercing cavity walls; and geometrical bridges, where two planes meet, such as at a corner or roof.

Thermal bridges not only allow heat and cold to pass through building enclosures and reduce energy efficiency, but also rot enclosures from the inside out. For instance, warm air from the interior runs along the thermal bridge to meet cold air from the exterior, or vice versa, creating condensation -- water that over time eats away at brick or metal or whatever else it meets along the way.

Breaking thermal bridges, however, takes more than merely wrapping them in insulation. There has to be a clean, or near clean break.

One solution is to research, find and use materials with low or no thermal conductivity between the parts making up the bridges.  A second strategy is to detail a wall with double layers, which minimizes the elements that bridge the entire wall.

The design and construction industry faces another challenge having to do with energy efficiency when deciding on windows: How many? What size? Which technology? And in what location?

High performance windows are expensive. They pay back, however, in three ways: First, with energy efficiency; second, with greatly increased occupant comfort and satisfaction; and finally, through decreased ductwork because they do not require a supply of heat directly at the window location.

It is also important to ensure that windows are located as close to the centre of the insulation as possible (given that they must also connect with the structural elements).

Airtightness is also an area in which we need great improvements.  This does not mean buildings with little or no ventilation, but buildings where, when we know the points in which air works its way in, we are able to heat or cool it.  Buildings which leak air not only lose heat that could have been captured, they force moisture into the walls causing all manner of problems, as we have seen across our industry.

Finally we have to be willing to prove the quality of our work through such measures as blower door tests, and through creating more reliable thermal models. These tests need to be positioned as tools for improvement. For example, a blower door test should occur before finishes are installed, so that cracks can be found and corrected.

The design and construction industry fronts the responsibility for building envelopes. They play a large part in a building’s performance. And since buildings are our biggest asset and one of the major contributors of green house gases, we can play a major role in increasing energy efficiency and decreasing overall emissions. 

 

 
 
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PENETANGUISHENE, ON, May 6 /CNW/ - Area dignitaries joined board members, staff, volunteers, patients, community members and partners today to celebrate Mental Health Week by holding an official groundbreaking for the new state-of-the-art forensic mental health hospital. Today's celebration included the unveiling of Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene's new name Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care with which this project will now be identified.

The new forensic hospital and building addition will replace and consolidate the existing 160-bed Oak Ridge facility and the 20-bed Brebeuf building, offering a larger, more modern space for treatment and care of people with mental health disorders who have had involvement with the criminal justice system.

While under construction this project will provide a boost to the regional economy by creating hundreds of construction jobs through the employment of local trades and construction-related suppliers. At the height of construction, as many as 300 workers are expected to be on site daily. Labour and materials for the project will be drawn largely from the Penetanguishene-Midland-Barrie-Simcoe areas and the surrounding communities.

Substantial completion of the new building is expected to be achieved in late fall 2013 with move in expected in 2014.

Integrated Team Solutions (ITS), the consortium selected to design, build, finance and maintain the new forensic mental health facility, represents a joint venture between EllisDon Corporation and Fengate Capital Management Ltd., with EllisDon also providing construction services. The facility was designed by Cannon Design and Honeywell Limited will provide facilities management. National Bank Financial Inc. acted as the financial advisor to ITS.

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care aims to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification for the design and construction of the new facility. LEED® standards focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and efficient use of energy, water and other resources.

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are working with Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care to develop the new hospital, which will remain publicly owned and publicly controlled.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget; as well, it is dedicated to providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew their infrastructure.

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care provides an extensive range of both acute and longer-term psychiatric inpatient and outpatient services to all of Simcoe County, part of Dufferin County and the southern portion of Muskoka/Parry Sound. In addition, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care provides the province's only maximum secure forensic hospital for clients served by both the mental health and justice systems.

Quotes:

Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure
"Congratulations to this mental health care organization on the major milestone met today. This new forensic hospital is part of the largest reinvestment in health care facilities in Ontario in more than a generation. By investing in our health care infrastructure, we are stimulating the economy, creating jobs and building stronger and healthier communities."

Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"I'm proud of my government's commitment to supporting those living with mental health illness and addiction issues. This new building will provide the care that people need in an environment that will contribute to their wellness."

John McCullough, Board Chair of Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene
"This is a momentous occasion for healthcare in our community and our province. These new milestones support our efforts to enhance our role as a leader in providing compassionate care and innovative treatment to people with mental illness in our region and the province. We will continue to enhance our role as the leader in serving part of the region's and province's most vulnerable population with these new milestones."

Carol Lambie, President and CEO of Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene
"This is a significant step in meeting the needs of patients in the province and region. The start of construction of our new forensic hospital brings us closer toward our goal to be a state-of-the-art facility that reflects and supports the exemplary care our team delivers to patients and the community."

Backgrounder

WAYPOINT CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
FORMERLY MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE PENETANGUISHENE

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care formally the Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene, is a 312-bed psychiatric hospital located on Georgian Bay in the Town of Penetanguishene, approximately 150 km northwest of Toronto.

The centre provides an extensive range of both acute and longer-term psychiatric inpatient and outpatient services to all of Simcoe County, part of Dufferin County and the southern portion of Muskoka/Parry Sound. It also provides the province's only maximum secure forensic hospital for clients served by both the mental health and justice systems.

The new mental health facility is being built on the hospital's existing site. The new hospital will replace the existing 160-bed Oak Ridge facility and the 20-bed Brebeuf facility, offering a larger, more modern space for treatment and care of people with mental health disorders who have had involvement with the criminal justice system. Once complete, the new facility will consolidate Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care into a more efficient, integrated complex.

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care has signed a contract with Integrated Team Solutions (ITS) for $474.1 million, in current (2011) dollars. When adjusting for the anticipated inflation over the 30-year contract term, the contract value is $634.1 million.

Substantial completion of the new hospital is expected to be achieved in fall 2013 with move in expected in 2014.