Harinder Takhar (right), Minister of Government Services, and Mississauga MPP said he was very happy to see the height the Credit Valley Hospital had reached.

Topping off Credit Valley Hospital

By Mike Beggs

Published: September, 2009

They call it the "topping off" ceremony.

That's a construction tradition when the highest part of the building has been reached. And on July 30, dignitaries, hospital officials, and labourers gathered at Credit Valley Hospital (CVH) to mark this stage in its ongoing redevelopment, by taking part in the last concrete pour.

"Today is a significant milestone in our journey toward a larger, more modern hospital," proclaimed president and CEO Michelle DiEmanuele.

This $228-million project (Phase II of a six-year hospital expansion process) will result in some 270,000 square feet of new construction, and 70,000 square feet of renovations -- providing enhanced hospital services including 79 additional beds (from 392 to 471), and double the number of labour rooms and delivery rooms (from eight to fifteen), with room for further growth.

"I'm very excited to see the progress we have made on the Credit Valley Hospital project," stated Harinder Takhar, Minister of Government Services, and Mississauga-Erindale MPP. "This project is so important, not only because it will ensure residents of our entire region will continue to enjoy access to state-of-the-art health care facilities and treatment, but also because it has created jobs and economic spinoffs that benefit our community".

Led by Bondfield Construction, this job - comprised of the "A" and "H" Blocks -- commenced in June 2008, and is slated for spring 2011 completion. Credit Valley Hospital has begun to work with internal teams towards occupency planning, in preparation for program and service relocations in 2011.

By the end of Phase II, the hospital will have 1.1 million square feet of space, having doubled in size over the last six years. (In Phase I they added 330,000 square feet of space, a new Cancer/Ambulatory Care building).

"We're slightly ahead of schedule - and on budget," grins hospital vice president Ron Noble.

"(This is) essential to the community. Since the hospital's opening in 1985, the community has been growing at 5 to 10 per cent per year, and the existing hospital was unable to meet the higher demand."

Credit Valley Hospital has set up a six-member management team for this project -- working with Bondfield, and the architect, Farrow Partnership. But it has taken a coordinated effort all through the ranks.

"We have a great group of staff and physicians here. We're coming off the Phase I project, so people are still kind of in that mindset of construction. They've been really accomodating and easy to work with," says Steve Silva, the project manager for Credit Valley Hospital. "One of the complications of Phase II is, it ties into the existing building. It has more impact on the day-to-day operation of the hospital."

Or as Noble puts it, "it's like we're asking our staff to live with a kitchen reno for a three-year period."

Specializing in Industrial/Commercial/Institutional (ICI) work, Bondfield is one of only five or six GTA constructors that routinely get preapproval to bid on complex hospital projects. At the moment, it also has a spade in the ground at Toronto General, Sunnybrook, North York, Runnymede, and Windsor Hospitals.

"It's giving the hospital the ability to continue with their operations. So, we have to construct around those parameters," says John Aiello, Bondfield's project manager. "It has been challenging, but I think we've worked together."

Construction boosts staff morale

Bondfield must abide by conditions of the hospital's Infection Control Program.

"We put up Infection Control vestibules with a negative air chamber, so we don't contaminate any of the areas we're working on," he explains. "We put up temporary walls, and use HEPA vacuums and filters."

This summer's wet weather presented another challenge. The constructor stayed on schedule by simply putting on more manpower, and working overtime. "We peaked at about 280 workers onsite," Aiello adds.

Another major hurdle has been dealing with the need to expand the hospital's parking garage, which Noble deems "our Achilles heel".

"We're adding three levels to the parking structure and two elevators," he relates. "Part of the design is to enhance access and egress from the parking structure. Then we will have an entrance off of Eglinton Avenue."

During the construction, 700 CVH staff have been parking off-site, with the available parking kept for visitors and patients.

"The hospital has recognized that parking has been a major disruption for staff and the public, but it will result in 478 additional parking spaces," he says.

What's more, in Ontario, hospitals fund 100 per cent of their parking requirements, so it's a huge expense. Due to the limited space onsite, Credit Valley went with a multi-level parking structure (at approximately $20,000 per space), versus surface parking ($3,000 to $5,000 per space).

Other improvements in the Phase II redevelopment include: expanded cancer treatment resources, including a new high-dose radiation therapy suite, and additional surgical oncology, palliative and complex continuing care beds; more capacity for neonatal care; increased diagnostic services and support areas; and an expanded laboratory, almost triple in size (from 15,000 to 42,000 square feet), which will provide better inhouse support for diagnostics.

Silva notes there was no work done on the labs in Phase I, so, "we're playing catchup".