Contract awarded for Corner Brook long-term care facility

Premier Danny Williams, MHA for Humber West, and Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, along with John Ottenheimer, Minister of Health and Community Services, and Tom Marshall, MHA for Humber East and Minister of Justice and Intergovernmental Affairs, today announced that work to complete site preparation procedures has commenced for the long-term care facility in Corner Brook.

"I am so pleased that our government is announcing today another important step toward fulfilling this our commitment for a long-term care facility in Corner Brook," said Premier Williams. �This is a tremendous stride forward in government's overall plan to ensure excellent long-term care and quality of living for seniors in this region of the province. The construction of this facility is moving forward according to plan and towards the completion of a first-class facility that will offer residents on the west coast a wider range of options for health care. I look forward to an official sod-turning ceremony in the coming weeks."

Marine Contractors Limited, Pasadena, has been awarded a contract valued at $2.7 million to complete site preparation for the facility located on site at the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College. The site preparation work involves the installation of underground services, including water mains and storm and sanitary sewer systems. Site leveling procedures will also be carried out, in preparation for foundation work, to be commenced during the next construction season.

�I am extremely pleased with the awarding of this contract,� said Minister Rideout. �Residents throughout the western region can now see the beginnings of this facility as the contractor proceeds to break ground this fall. This facility is a massive commitment and our government has put a great deal of effort into planning its construction. This included selecting a consultant to assess potential construction properties and a prime consultant to provide design services. Government has expeditiously handled these processes and the awarding of this contract takes us one step closer to ultimately realizing our commitment.�

The investment toward the site preparation of this long-term care facility was announced in Budget 2005 along with investments in a long-term care facility site preparation in Clarenville, valued at $1.4 million, and conceptual design for a long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, valued at $200,000. The $2.7 million for this contract is part of a $4.3 million investment to upgrade long-term care facilities across the province.

�Government is building on our Blueprint commitment to provide long-term care services across the province and we are investing in areas where there is a demonstrated need,� said Minister Ottenheimer. �The Corner Brook region was one area, in particular, in which this need was identified. Providing appropriate care, available when people need it, protects our elderly and offers great comfort to families.�

Minister Marshall said, �I am delighted that the contract has been awarded and site preparation has begun for the new long-term health care facility in Corner Brook. The Corner Brook region has been in dire need of improved long-term care for far too long and I commend Premier Williams for making this facility become a reality. This first-class facility will ensure we meet the demands of our rapidly-aging population and provide seniors with enhanced care options. It is another concrete example of government's commitment to improving the quality of life for our senior citizens.�

Site preparation work is expected to be completed by the end of November.

Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Transportation and Works, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403
Tansy Mundon, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741

2005 09 30                                   4:05 p.m.