Toronto's
Bridgepoint Hospital has been under renovation since the fall of 2009. The $1.2 billion earmarked for the project -- the result of partnership between Bridgepoint, Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care -- went towards the construction of an updated, environmentally sound, and aesthetically-pleasing healthcare centre for Bridgepoint's staff and patients.
Last Wednesday, the results of that massive undertaking reached a climatic milestone. In a public ceremony, Plenary Health, the building company behind the project, presented Bridgepoint president and CEO Marian Walsh with a celebratory key to the new building.
The oversized key was a symbolic gesture to celebrate the near-completion of the massive hospital overhaul.
Built 150 years ago, Bridgepoint is located at the edge of Riverdale park, at the corner of Broadview avenue and Gerrard street East. While the building has had numerous uses in its long history, in recent decade Bridgepoint Hospital has served a unique niche in Toronto's healthcare scene. It is the only healthcare centre in the city dedicated exclusively to providing care for individuals living with chronic health conditions.
The renovations not only provide more space and updated facilities, they also include new design elements meant to encourage interaction and connectivity amongst patients, staff and family members. In addition to larger living spaces and larger therapy spaces, Bridgepoint now has a larger therapeutic pool, outdoor green spaces, and a brand new green roof.
"Today, we celebrate the success of an incredible partnership between our design firms, our construction teams, project partners and the Government of Ontario," said Walsh at last Wednesday's celebration. "Together, we built a hospital that sets the new standard of treating patients with complex chronic health conditions, a hospital that will be the model of how future hospitals are built not only in Ontario but throughout the world."
The renovation project also included the restoration of parts of the nearby former Don Jail. The jail will serve as the hospital's administration centre and teaching arm, the Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, and is connected to the hospital by glass catwalk.
Staff will begin moving into the hospital as early as April 6 and the first patients will follow by April 14. The hospital’s official opening will be celebrated in June.
Writer: Katia Snukal
Source: Bridgepoint Hospital