Peel Memorial upgrade hits milestone, province looks for construction team for Brampton hospital

Ontario and Brampton’s health network say they’re inching closer to construction but need a team to help bring the Peel Memorial upgrade project to life.

On Monday, the William Osler Health System said it has put out a call to qualified design and construction companies for the billion-dollar overhaul of Brampton’s Peel Memorial Centre.

The proposed upgrade includes a new 24-hour Emergency Department replacing the existing Urgent Care Centre, 250 inpatient beds with space for more in the future, rehabilitation and continuing care services, enhanced mental health and addictions services, and additional services for seniors.

The province and Osler have issued a request for qualification (RFQ) to prequalify applicants with design and construction experience that can tackle a project “of this size and complexity.”

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the upgraded Peel Memorial Hospital “will be able to connect even more people to faster, more convenient care closer to home.”

A site plan of Peel Memorial filed to the city by HOK Architects Corporation shows concept drawings for a 12-storey tall building with a main entrance and passenger drop-off area, as well as additional entrances on the north and south sides.

The Emergency Department would be located along John St. and will include a walk-in entrance, a passenger drop-off area, and an ambulance garage.

But the project will require more than just healthcare construction know-how as there as also plans for outdoor public plazas along Lynch St., multiple outdoor terraces on all floors, larger amenity areas and a rooftop garden.

Other outdoor amenities include a dining area, wellness garden, and shade canopies.

Teams interested in submitting a RFQ application can visit www.WilliamOslerHS.ca. Shortlisted teams will be invited to respond to a request for proposals expected later this year.

The city’s portion of the Peel Memorial project and a new cancer centre coming to Brampton Civic Hospital will cost some $125 million, with Brampton already covering around half that bill by transferring $62.5 million from capital reserves.