Construction contract awarded for CEEH redevelopment

From left: Rick Charlebois, Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer, Town of Petrolia; Marlene Kerwin, Vice-President, Operations and Chief Financial Officer, Bluewater Health; Kathy Alexander, Executive Director, Bluewater Health Foundation; Brad Loosley, Mayor of Petrolia; Bob Bailey, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton; Jack Vanderveen, Director, Facilities and Support Services, Bluewater Health; and Julie Franchuk, Communications Business Partner, Bluewater Health. (Source: Bluewater Health.)

Bluewater Health has given a $14-million construction contract to K&L Construction Ltd. for the redevelopment of the emergency department and diagnostic imaging areas at the Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital (CEEH).

This work will be done to modernize the emergency department and associated clinical and support spaces. Construction is expected to begin in late October or early November, taking 36 to 42 months to complete.

“This is an exciting milestone for CEEH and for the Petrolia and Central Lambton community,” said Bob Bailey, Sarnia-Lambton MPP.

“Our government is proud to support this important investment in modernizing the hospital’s emergency department and diagnostic imaging spaces. Today’s announcement reflects the tremendous progress that has been made on this long-awaited project and our government’s continued commitment to strengthening rural healthcare in Sarnia-Lambton.”

In order to choose a construction company, a procurement process and Ministry of Health approval were required.

“Awarding the construction contract is an incredibly exciting milestone for CEEH of Bluewater Health and the Petrolia and Central Lambton community,” said Paula Reaume-Zimmer, president and CEO of Bluewater Health.

“Selecting our construction partner brings us closer than ever to seeing years of planning, advocacy, and community support take shape. This investment further solidifies our commitment to rural health for decades to come. We are grateful to the Ministry of Health, local elected officials, Bluewater Health Foundation, and its donors, staff and physicians, and the entire community for their continued commitment to the future of rural healthcare in Petrolia.”

The Bluewater Health Foundation is raising $5 million to put towards the redevelopment. So far, $2 million has been raised.