EllisDon hands over ownership of Thomson Centre at MGH
The EllisDon-led construction team has reached a major milestone in the construction of the Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) in East Toronto.
The construction team reached interim completion on the Thomson Centre last month, and has officially transferred ownership of the facility to MGH.
The milestone comes just over four years after the building’s groundbreaking at Sammon and Coxwell Avenues.
“I’m thrilled that we are marking this milestone for the Thomson Centre, the centerpiece of the largest redevelopment project in our hospital’s history,” said MGH president and CEO Sarah Downey. “Over the past four years, we have watched this space come together, knowing that it will forever change the care we provide to our community.”
The eight-storey Thomson Centre and adjoining three-storey podium will enable the delivery of state-of-the-art, accessible, compassionate patient care, while replacing some of the oldest spaces in the hospital.
The centre itself will comprise over 40 percent of the hospital’s total footprint and 55 percent of inpatient beds. It will also accommodate 80 percent of total outpatient visits. The building will also house the hospital’s chronic disease unit, the Carswell Family Centre for Medical Education, a simulation lab, surgery inpatient unit, and new mental health facilities.
“This milestone represents the tremendous effort by all involved, including MGH, our consultants, subtrades, Infrastructure Ontario and the entire EllisDon team,” said Jeff McKay, EllisDon’s Vice President, Public-Private Partnerships. “This new tower is a great addition to the neighbourhood with state-of-the-art facilities providing the best of healthcare. Over the next two years we will continue with the balance of the project and once completed, MGH will be a beacon for the neighbourhood and a project everyone can be very proud of.”
The existing hospital campus will also undergo modernization during the redevelopment project. Upon completion of the Thomson Centre, demolition will begin on five of the hospital’s oldest wings to renew existing spaces and allow for enhancements including the construction of an outdoor community hub with spaces for play and cultural programming and a welcoming, accessible main entrance to the hospital.
“We are privileged to have the opportunity to deliver this project for the East Toronto community, which will enable the delivery of efficient, accessible, and high-quality patient care,” said Michael Lindsay, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario. “This project is a resonant example of the work we are undertaking across the province in the healthcare space to ensure the delivery of quality care for all Ontarians. As we celebrate this key milestone with our partners at Michael Garron Hospital, we look forward to continuing to deliver this vital infrastructure project.”
The Thomson Centre is expected to open to patients and the public this winter.
The $560-million project is funded by the Ministry of Health, MGH and donors to Michael Garron Hospital Foundation. It was constructed in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Infrastructure Ontario and EllisDon.