Enhanced diagnostic and cancer treatment services on Prince Edward Island are another step closer to reality today with the awarding of the building contract for the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre expansion and MRI addition at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Transportation and Public Works Minister Don MacKinnon announced today that Schurman Construction Ltd. of Summerside has been awarded the building contract for the hospital expansion. The announcement follows review and evaluation of the submitted tenders.
"This announcement clears the path for work to begin in earnest on the expansion to the hospital, enabling these important services to be accessed in this province as soon as possible. The work will also generate considerable economic activity through continued growth in the Island construction industry," said MacKinnon. The project is valued at approximately $12M and represents the single largest investment in diagnostic and treatment technology ever made on Prince Edward Island. The project will see the construction of an MRI unit and the expansion of the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre to include a Linear Accelerator, along with related equipment and support services. The new equipment will be housed in a 15,000 square foot expansion to the hospital.
As part of the traffic infrastructure upgrade, the two existing hospital entrances from Riverside Drive will be replaced with a single signalized intersection for visitors, hospital staff and emergency service vehicles. Substantial site work in preparation for the expansion has already been completed.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem is pleased with the announcement. "The addition of MRI and Linear Accelerator services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital will provide all Islanders with access to quality diagnostic and cancer treatment services here at home on Prince Edward Island. This will benefit hundreds of Island families each year by providing comprehensive quality care closer to home with equal access by all Islanders," said Ballem.
Construction of the expansion is scheduled to begin immediately. The projected target date for substantial completion for the hospital expansion is January, 2003.