Ontario Construction News staff writer
The province of Ontario will add 150 beds to three jails using modular construction, expanding the Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold, the Cecil Facer Youth Centre in Sudbury and the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton.
Bird Construction Inc. has been awarded the contract to design and build the innovative modular expansions, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026. In addition to new beds, the expanded facilities will offer enhanced rehabilitation programs, including literacy, job skills and technology training.
“We are pleased to once again work with the Ontario government, supporting its investments to increase correctional capacity and transform correctional services,” said Teri McKibbon, president and CEO, Bird Construction. “Building on our previous work in Kenora and Thunder Bay, we look forward to leveraging our proven experience in delivering priority infrastructure, integrating innovation with conventional on-site construction, and maintaining our high standards of execution.”
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner made the announcement Thursday at the Niagara Detention Centre, which will expand by 50 spaces, as will the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton, and the Cecil Facer Youth Centre in Sudbury, which is also being converted to an adult facility.
Construction is expected to begin next year and cost the province more than $180 million.
As part of its plan to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the Ontario government is investing more than $180 million to increase capacity at correctional facilities across the province. The Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold, the Cecil Facer Youth Centre in Sudbury and the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton will be expanded to create 150 new beds and give frontline staff the space they need to do their jobs safely.
“Our government is taking decisive action to protect Ontario and keep dangerous and repeat offenders off our streets,” said Kerzner. “By expanding correctional facilities and bringing new beds online faster, we are strengthening our ability to hold criminals accountable and ensure that inmates serve their sentences in secure, modern spaces.”
By 2028, the Cecil Facer Youth Centre in Sudbury will be repurposed into an adult correctional centre.
“Ontario is modernizing its procurement processes and using innovative construction methods to help speed up the delivery of essential infrastructure,” said Kinga Surma, minister of infrastructure. “By expanding correctional facilities in Thorold, Sudbury and Milton, our government is enhancing the safety, capacity and sustainability of the province’s correctional system.”