The Yukon government has picked a contractor to design and build the new 150-bed continuing care facility in Whistle Bend.
The government issued a news release late yesterday announcing it had chosen PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. with its partners CEI Architecture and Derek Crawford Architect Inc. as the preferred proponents to handle the build.
PCL is the same company that is currently working on the expansion of the Whitehorse General Hospital. It is based out of Richmond, B.C.
The two architectural companies are also from B.C.
The government will negotiate with PCL to settle the final terms of the design-build agreement, the news release said.
The contract is expected in the new year. Construction will begin in early 2016, with a target completion date of mid-2018.
A networking session will be held to connect local contractors and service providers with the design-build team, the government says.
The project is moving forward despite vocal complaints from many people, including the Official Opposition, who say a big facility out in the sparsely developed Whistle Bend neighbourhood is not in the territory’s best interest.
The government has always insisted that such a centre is needed.
“We’ve heard from Yukoners and our health care professionals that this continuing care facility is urgently needed,” said Health and Social Services Minister Mike Nixon in the press release.
“We are excited to move forward on this facility. It embraces best practices based on informed evidence from across the nation, and is designed with a lens that encompasses aging and dementia care. With this facility, Yukon will continue to be a national leader in providing a broad continuum of services to seniors.”
The project is expected to cost about $158 million, but the final figure won’t be announced until a contract is signed, the government said.