Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Hamilton Health Sciences have announced today the Ron Joyce Children's Health Centre, formerly known as McMaster Children's Health Centre has reached substantial completion.

The new Centre, which will open with full operations and services to patients in late November, is located on Wellington Street in Hamilton, the Centre. It will be fully accessible and will include an outdoor wheeling track, a therapeutic playground and physiotherapy space. It will bring together a number of programs currently located at Hamilton Health Sciences' Chedoke site, including:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Services
• Child and Youth Mental Health Program
• Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Program
• Prosthetics and Orthotics

The new Centre will provide the space to accommodate the delivery of patient- and family-focused service and individualized programming. Together, these programs will accommodate approximately 70,000 visits annually.

PCL Partnerships was selected to design, build and finance the project and construction began in May 2014. The new facility was completed on time and on budget. The value of the contract with PCL Partnerships is CAD$70.5 million. The contract cost covers the design and construction of the facility, as well as project financing.

Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, stated:

"This is an important milestone for Hamilton Health Sciences and the local community. We look forward to the official opening of the Ron Joyce Children's Health Centre. For patients, it will mean a comfortable, modern and welcoming atmosphere while getting access to high quality health care services, close to home."

Bert Clark, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario, commented

"Infrastructure Ontario is pleased to have partnered with Hamilton Health Sciences to deliver this state-ofthe-art children's centre using the Alternative Financing and Procurement model. We take a great deal of pride in seeing this project completed because we know the immediate, positive impact it will have on the community."

Mike Wieninger, Senior Vice President and District Manager, PCL Constructors Canada Inc., added:

"Our PCL design-build team shares Hamilton Health Sciences' vision of a new era in children's developmental health, and we take great pride in knowing that our hard work will help provide a new experience for children and families requiring care at the Ron Joyce Children's Health Centre. Congratulations to all of the project partners."