EllisDon and Parkin selected as design-build team for mental health facility in Vancouver

The contract to design and build the Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre (JRSFHC)—Vancouver’s newest mental health and addictions treatment facility—will be awarded to EllisDon Corporation in partnership with Parkin Architects.

“As the largest facility of its kind in British Columbia, the Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre will become a leader in providing integrated care to patients with mental health and substance use challenges,” says Health Minister Terry Lake. “By using current best practices in environmental design, treatment therapy and technology, this new facility has the potential to transform mental health care in this province.”

The decision to award the contract to EllisDon was made following the completion of a two-stage design-build procurement process that was monitored by a fairness auditor. VCH reviewed the qualifications of eight proponents before inviting three to submit proposals. The preferred proponent was selected after VCH engaged in a comprehensive review of proposals submitted by the short-listed proponents.

Slated to open in spring 2017, the $82-million JRSFHC will be located on the VGH site. The new facility will have a state-of-the art healing environment for patients needing short-term acute care for their mental health challenges including those suffering from major depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, psychotic and mood disorders, and substance dependence.

“This building is going to reflect a new era in the provision of mental health care,” explains Dr. Soma Ganesan, medical director of psychiatry at VCH. “The Segal Family Health Centre will be a healing place. It will provide compassionate mental health care while maintaining the highest level of dignity for patients.”

The eight-storey, 100-bed JRSFHC will consolidate inpatient, outpatient and outreach mental health and addiction services into one building, providing clients with a seamless continuum of care. The facility will meet LEED Gold green building certification standards to minimize its environmental footprint and will include current mental health best practices ranging from lighting and comfort rooms to the outdoor space and exercise facilities.

The facility was designed with input from mental health consumers, families, health care providers and experts in the area of informed trauma care, which Dr. Ganesan adds, “will help support the ongoing transformation of how mental health care is delivered.”

Of the $82-million required for the new Centre, the provincial government is contributing $57 million. VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation has committed $25 million to the project, $12 million of which has been donated by Joseph and Rosalie Segal and their family. The Segal’s contribution is one of the largest-ever personal gifts for mental health in Canadian history.

“The selection of EllisDon represents a huge step toward our goal of creating a healing environment that will significantly improve the lives of many British Columbians. The Foundation is also very close to reaching an important milestone. Thanks to the Segal family and many other generous donors, we have less than $2 million to raise to fulfill our philanthropic commitment and make the building a reality,” notes Barbara Grantham, President & CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

Construction is expected to begin this winter.