Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction has started on the new CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre, following a groundbreaking ceremony held last Thursday for the major redevelopment project, also known as 1Door4Care.
Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and CHEO awarded a fixed-price contract of $371.37 million to EllisDon Infrastructure OCH Inc. in September 2023 to design, build, and finance the project following a competitive procurement process.
The EllisDon team includes Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc., Vertechs Design Inc., WalterFedy, Mulvey & Banani International Inc., H. H. Angus and Associates Limited, and Entuitive Corporation on the design side, with EllisDon Corporation handling construction and EllisDon Capital Inc. as the financial advisor.
The structure will consolidate services currently spread across eight locations into a single, approximately 200,000-sq. ft. building dedicated to children and youth with complex medical, developmental, and behavioural needs. Completion is now expected in 2028.
Key features of the new centre will include multi-use clinic spaces, a physiotherapy rehabilitation gym, expanded mental health clinics, advanced technology for virtual care, a physical link to the main hospital, family support spaces, and a new parking structure.
“Once complete, the new CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre will provide state-of-the-art health services for children and youth in a purpose-built facility,” Ontario infrastructure minister Kinga Surma said in a statement.
She added the project is part of the province’s nearly $200 billion capital plan aimed at boosting critical infrastructure projects and supporting workers.
The new centre aims to provide more convenient and integrated care for the estimated 13,700 children and youth with special needs served in eastern Ontario.
“This initiative will lead to better care integration and enhance the experience for children and youth dealing with complex medical, developmental, behavioural and mental health needs,” said Dr. Vera Etches, president and CEO of CHEO.
Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, called the groundbreaking “another step in our commitment to protecting Ontarioโs provincial health care by improving services for children and youth with developmental needs.”
The project is part of nearly $600 million in recent provincial investments targeted at modernizing childrenโs treatment centres across Ontario. Similar projects include new builds or renovations in Chatham-Kent, Brantford, Ajax, and Sudbury.
Local officials emphasized the project’s economic benefits. “This transformative project will also boost our local economy and create jobs,” said Goldie Ghamari, MPP for Carleton.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe thanked the provincial government for the investment, noting the building will “bring vital services together under one roof, making it more convenient for families.”
The CHEO Foundation is also undertaking a $220 million fundraising campaign, “Kids These Days,” to support the transformation of pediatric care, including this new centre.