Trees were removed from the green space in front of Royal Inland Hospital and Interior Health is now looking for tender proposals to further prepare the site for the construction of a clinical services building.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
August 06, 2013 - 12:00 PM
KAMLOOPS – Interior Health is ready to move forward on the clinical services building at Royal Inland Hospital with plans to prepare the site for the first phase this fall.
Pre-qualified contractors have been invited to submit tenders for the preparation phase, which include moving underground utility services.
“This invitation to tender signals another important milestone in the redevelopment of Royal Inland,” said Minister of Health Terry Lake. “Recognizing the vital role this project will play in meeting the growing needs of families throughout the region we are pleased to see things moving forward quickly.”
The contract for design and construction of the clinical services building is expected to be awarded in spring, 2014. Interior Health hopes having the site preparation complete in advance of the request for proposal close will help ensure the project remains on schedule.
Several mature trees were removed from along Columbia Street in front of the hospital at the end of April to make room for the new building and allow for proper surveying of the site.
“We are moving forward to fulfill our commitment to provide new clinical outpatient space as well as increased parking and improved access for Royal Inland,” said Norman Embree, Interior Health board chair.
The new building will cost approximately $79.8 million and will be cost-shared between the province and the Thompson Regional Hospital District.
The new building will improve site access and provide expanded space for a new UBC medical school and clinical educational program space, expanded medical outpatient services, additional parking stalls and a walk-way connecting the new building to the main hospital.
Construction on the building is expected to begin in spring 2014 and will take approximately two years to complete.
To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013