IO, WAHA close RFP for Weeneebayko Health Authority redevelopment project
Infrastructure Ontario and the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) have announced that the request for proposals process has closed for prequalified teams to submit their plans to deliver the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) Redevelopment Project.
Three companies responded prior to the August 31 deadline: PCL Northern Health Care, Pomerleau Healthcare Partners and The Bird Team.
Valued at between $200 million and $500 million, the WAHA redevelopment project involves the construction of a new hospital, Elder Care Lodge, visitor hostel and staff accommodations in Moosonee and a new Ambulatory Care Centre on Moose Factory Island.
Once complete, these modern facilities will support WAHA in providing exceptional, culturally sensitive healthcare to patients and clients living along Ontario’s James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts, many of whom are Indigenous.
The project is being procured using IO’s new progressive public-private partnership (P3) approach, which will involve both a development phase agreement with the development partner and – upon the conclusion of the development phase – a design-build-finance P3 project agreement to implement the project.
IO and WAHA will evaluate the RFP submissions over the next few months with a view to selecting a development partner to proceed through the project’s development phase.
The selected development partner will work with IO and WAHA under the Development Phase Agreement, as well as with the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Services Canada, to further define and refine project requirements to advance the design and confirm fixed pricing.
The development partner is expected to be announced later this fall, with project construction targeted for 2024, following the development phase.
WAHA provides health care services to people living along Ontario’s James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts, many of whom are of Cree lineage.