| July 22, 2010 KELOWNA - Three qualified proponent teams have been shortlisted to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase of the competition to design and build the Clinical Support Building (CSB) at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH). "This Clinical Support Building is an important stage in the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre Project, which will provide the highest level of medical care ever seen in the Interior," said Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. "Combined with the Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals Project, it will mean almost $900 million in capital investments underway in the Okanagan." Six proponent teams responded to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).Following evaluation of the responses received, three teams were shortlisted. They are:
The shortlisted respondents will be invited to respond to the RFP to undertake the design and construction of the CSB. "Shortlisting qualified proponents is a very important step forward in the construction of facilities that are going to have lasting benefits for Okanagan residents," said Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson. The CSB is part of the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre (IHSC) Project announced by Premier Gordon Campbell Jan. 25, 2010. It will house laboratory and clinical support departments that will be moved from the existing hospital in preparation for the construction of the IHSC building in 2012. "As part of an overall capital investment of $900 million in the Okanagan, this Clinical Support Building and further improvements to the existing hospital and the new Patient Care Tower, will provide a full range of clinical supports closer to where people live," said Kelowna- Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick. "The IHSC Project will provide patients, physicians and staff with the most advanced technologies in state-of-the-art facilities, maximizing opportunities for health improvement and patient and staff satisfaction," said Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart. The CSB will be constructed across Pandosy Street from the main KGH campus. It will be linked to the new Patient Care Tower by a third-floor bridge across Pandosy, as well as by a pneumatic tube system for transporting materials and information throughout the hospital. "The CSB will be closely integrated with the rest of the hospital campus and will support our staff in continuing to provide the excellent care they are known for in a modern, efficient setting," said Interior Health board chair Norman Embree. "We are happy to see this welcome addition to the comprehensive range of patient care services available to Southern Interior residents," said Robert Hobson, chair of the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District, which is contributing $91.3 million to the IHSC Project. The CSB is a three-storey, 7,850 square-metre (84,470 square-foot) building. The IHSC building will be 12,970 square metres (139,590 square feet). It will be located at the corner of Pandosy and Rose Avenue. The total value of the IHSC Project is estimated to be $448 million, and will also include renovations to the existing Royal and Strathcona buildings, and fit-outs in the new patient-care tower. The RFP for the CSB will be issued later this year. Construction of the CSB is expected to start in early 2011, with completion estimated in 2012. -30- | |
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