A proud day! (48 new hospital photos)

It's been more than a decade in the making.

But yesterday, the new Sault Area Hospital became so much more than a project.

It became a hospital.

With the passing of a key, the transformation was completed before a filled-to-capacity auditorium of happy smiles.

Sault Area Hospital's board of directors hosted a substantial completion event complete with a ceremonial passing of the key (shown) from the Hospital Infrastructure Partnership (HIP), represented by its Chair John Bisanti of EllisDon, to SAH board Chair Elaine Pitcher and President & Chief Executive Officer Ron Gagnon.

During the event, several dignitaries talked about what the new hospital will mean to the Sault and area and what went into making a dream of a new hospital a reality.

Acting Mayor and Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers also remembered former Mayor John Rowswell and his commitment to the new hospital project.

"This would be one of his proudest moments," Myers said.

She talked about City staff's work toward the project and then presented a giant cheque in the amount of $29.5 million to the SAH board.

That's the city's contribution to the hospital and it will be paid from the tax levy over the next 14 years.

The half-million dollar contribution from Health Infrastructure Partners (HIP) was a nice cherry on the sundae of happiness.

After the event a tour of the building was offered.

A few folks took up the offer to see what $408 million along with two million person-hours could put into a 600,000-square-foot building.

What they found is that 500 to 600 men and women from at least 60 trades and subtrades can shape over 21,000 cubic metres of concrete, many metres of wires, pipes, conduits and girders into a tranquil, beautiful state-of-the-art facility.

There are still a few tasks to be done on the building itself before the planned patient move on March 6, 2011.

But the building has taken shape beautifully.

The corridors and rooms are spacious and softly lit, often bathed in natural light.

The colours and lighting are warm and serene, more like one might expect from a spa than a health care institution.

But the colours, like the rest of the hospital, are more than attractive.

They are functional.

They help visitors and staff find their way around the building and they help define spaces according to their intended uses.

Sault MPP David Orazietti was also among the dignitaries speaking at the event.

A news release from his office follows.

************************* Orazietti announces substantial completion of new $408 million public hospital on time and on budget

Province delivers unprecedented support for health care services and infrastructure in Sault and Algoma

SAULT STE. MARIE – Yesterday, David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie was joined by Mike Brown, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, Sault Area Hospital (SAH) officials, staff and community members to mark the substantial completion of construction of the new 291 bed, $408 million hospital, which is on track to open in March 2011.

“Our government committed to building the community a new state-of-the-art hospital, which includes a cancer radiation therapy bunker and we have delivered on the most important public infrastructure project in decades,” said Orazietti. “Past governments had no plan to move this project forward, but today we are marking the end of construction on time and on budget because we have made improving patient care a priority.”

The end of the construction phase, which created nearly 600 jobs in the community, means that SAH officials take over the new site in preparation for patient occupancy in March 2011.

This transition process involves conducting ongoing performance testing to ensure the building is patient-ready, installing remaining medical equipment and training over 2,500 staff, physicians and volunteers.

"This is indeed a great day for Sault Area Hospital and the residents we serve,” said Elaine Pitcher, Chair of the SAH Board of Directors. “I would like to thank all those involved including the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Hospital Infrastructure Partners, my fellow SAH Board Members, our New Hospital Project Team, Senior Management Team, the Sault Area Hospital Foundation and all of our staff, physicians and volunteers. Most importantly, I would like to thank the people and businesses of Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding communities for their incredible generosity and support in making this day possible."

"This facility is living proof that dreams do come true, and that with a belief in something better and the determination to make it happen, anything is possible," said Ron Gagnon, SAH President & CEO.

In 2003, the McGuinty government created the Re-New Ontario program and adopted the Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) approach to financing the construction of large infrastructure projects in order to replace aging facilities, such as the old and inefficient SAH, in a significantly faster and more cost effective manner.

Sault Area Hospital was one of the first AFP projects in the province, which allowed construction to begin on August 23, 2007.

The Alternative Finance and Procurement model compels the developer to provide the financial resources necessary to complete construction of an infrastructure project, on time and on budget, as well as provide ongoing maintenance for the life of the facility.

The Hospital Board retains control of the facility and operates both medical and clinical services, as is currently the practice.

Under the AFP strategy, an independent Value For Money (VFM) audit concluded that the new SAH will save taxpayers 18.2% in construction costs when compared to previous government models that resulted in delays and overruns.

The construction of the new Sault Area Hospital will consolidate the services of the Plummer Memorial Hospital and the Sault Ste. Marie General Hospital into a new three-level building situated close to the F.J. Davey long-term care home.

The new hospital will contain 31% more clinical space than the two existing hospitals combined.

The new cancer radiation therapy treatment facility will ensure that approximately 120,000 residents of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma have closer-to-home access to advanced-level care.

The provincial government has increased the Sault Area Hospital’s annual base funding by $20.2 million since 2003-04, which is more than a 22% increase.

In addition, SAH has received over $7.6 million from the province to reduce wait times that has allowed the hospital to perform approximately 17,207 more medical procedures.

Key features of Sault Ste. Marie’s new public hospital include:

- All medical and clinical services will remain public

- All medical and clinical services will be accessible with OHIP card

- Number of single bed rooms increased from 19% to 50% - highest ratio in the province

- 20% larger in space than two current sites

- 31% more clinical space than two current sites combined Emergency unit will be doubled in size

- New cancer radiation therapy facility

- Number of rehabilitation beds increased

- Northern Medical School will use the new hospital as a clinical training site

- Latest wireless and energy saving technology throughout hospital

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