We want to share an update on the planning and approval process for the new Secure Care and Recovery building. On December 16, 2022 Infrastructure Ontario (IO) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to PCL Construction for their team to design, build, and finance the Secure Care and Recovery building as part of our 1D Redevelopment project.
The Secure Care and Recovery building is a Ministry of Health funded project to redevelop our existing facilities for patients with mental illness who have encountered the law. The current space is an old, institutional building that was not purpose-built for modern concepts of forensic health care. This new facility will expand and create new programming to help us better support our patients in their recovery, ultimately making our community safer and healthier.
The new building will also include upgrades to the existing forensic services and additional indoor and outdoor support spaces. Once completed, the newly renovated space will include dedicated family visitation areas in the inpatient units, enclosed outdoor areas to support recovery, outpatient services, security and building support services. This building is expected to be built by late 2027.
The process to select a construction company for a project of this scale is rigorous and detailed. It began with the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in February 2022, which identified project teams that have the required project development, construction, and financial capacity to undertake complex projects. Two teams met the conditions for prequalification and were invited to respond to an RFP, which includes detailed conditions and construction documents for the project. Upon submitting an RFQ application, one of the teams chose not to proceed, which is why there is only one team involved with the RFP process: PCL Construction. This is not an uncommon occurrence; many projects across Ontario move forward with one construction team involved in bidding.
Once the RFP submission is received, IO and CAMH will evaluate it and if successful, negotiate the terms for a contract, anticipated for 2023, with construction to follow. PCL Construction will be given approximately six months to submit a proposal. IO and CAMH will then evaluate their bid and negotiate the terms of the contract. If successful, PCL will be rewarded the contract to start construction of the building by the end of 2023.
CAMH and Infrastructure Ontario are committed to a transparent process. The RFP is now posted to the CAMH Phase 1D Redevelopment project page on IO’s website. If you have any questions about this project, please reach out to us at [email protected].