RFQ issued for $887M greenfield hospital project on Vancouver Island

Newly rebranded crown agency Infrastructure BC has issued a request for qualifications for a major greenfield hospital project on Vancouver Island.

The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project covers the design, construction and commissioning of a new hospital in the Municipality of North Cowichan — located between Nanaimo and Victoria. It will replace the existing Cowichan District Hospital and serve the communities of North Cowichan, Duncan and Lake Cowichan.

Estimates for the 201-bed facility, expected to cover roughly 500,000 sq. ft. (46,000 square metres), total $887.4 million.

Infrastructure BC released the RFQ for the project last month, giving interested bid teams until Feb. 25 to respond. The agency that oversees procurement for major infrastructure projects across B.C. said the hospital will be delivered using a competitive alliance approach.

Infrastructure BC anticipates issuing a request for proposals for the work in April, after narrowing the list of qualified bidders. Construction is scheduled to start in 2023, with work lasting about three years.