[The province has issued the following]
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued to architects on December 8 as part of the design/bid/build package for the continuing care centre, which will provide 30 long-term care and 70 affordable supportive living beds.
The design firm Rockliff Pierzchajlo Architects and Planners Ltd. is working on the community health centre. Their work is focused on reviewing and updating plans for the facility.
“This strategic move allows us to start construction of the continuing care centre in a location that will better meet the needs of residents and the Fort McMurray area,” said Jeff Johnson, Minister of Infrastructure. “The 20-acre Parsons Creek site also allows us to locate the continuing care centre adjacent to the new community health centre and other amenities, and provides room to grow if required.”
“The time is right to move as quickly as possible on this priority project so that we can address the need for more affordable seniors’ accommodations in Fort McMurray,” said George VanderBurg, Minister of Seniors. “The Parsons Creek location is best suited to meet the needs of residents, by providing them with a safe and secure home that will meet their changing accommodation and service needs.”
“An appropriate continuing care facility has been one of the most pressing needs in Wood Buffalo,” said Melissa Blake, Mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. “The ability to do better for senior residents now, and in the future, is best addressed as quickly as possible with all due consideration to the quality of care on and near the site.”
Both facilities will be built in an area of Parsons Creek already being developed, and will not require an overpass for access.
The new continuing care centre will provide homes for those who have been waiting in acute care beds or in the community for supportive living or long-term care placement. This will also free up space at the Northern Lights Regional Hospital, which currently has 30 continuing care (long-term) beds that will be moved to the new facility.
Available space at Parsons Creek allows for the design of appropriate dwellings for continuing care residents, which is desirable for dementia and vulnerable residents. The design will place special attention on mobility, access to needed services, and safety and security considerations for the residents. The new location also allows room for future expansion.
Through the Request for Qualifications stage for the continuing care centre, three of the top qualified respondents will be invited to submit proposals in the Request for Proposal stage. From the Request for Proposal submissions, the proponent offering the best combination of qualifications and value will be awarded the project contract in March 2012. The design-build RFQ can be accessed through the Alberta Purchasing Connection at www.purchasingconnection.ca.
Construction on the two projects is expected to begin in fall 2012, with completion for both expected in spring 2014.
