The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) Tehsakotitsen:tha is planning a significant expansion and renovation to respond to the needs of the community of Kahnawa:ke. Today, KMHC provides 33 long-term beds and 10 short-term beds. The new construction will add 25 long-term care beds and 5 short-term care beds, for a total of 73 beds. The facility also offers services in physical, speech and occupational therapy, family medicine and community health. Facility support services include medical record storage, plant and maintenance, housekeeping, laundry, food and nutrition services and administration.
The expansion comprises construction of an entirely new, 2-storey wing and demolition of an existing portion of the facility with replacement by new, 2-storey construction, as well as renovation of out-patient services. The facility covers 3720 m2 on the ground floor with 650 m2 on the second floor.
The most recent plans comprise 10,160 m2, of which 7,317 m2 will be new construction, 2,409 m2 will be renovated and 1,194m2 will be subject to fireproofing. The expansion and renovation will allow KMHC to offer in-house radiology and traditional healing services, in addition to expanding and improving existing services.
As of ministerial authorization (June, 2012) the overall project budget is identified at $28,611,800, accounting for construction, professional fees, fixed medical equipment, artwork integration, landscaping, furniture / specialized medical equipment and costs associated with administrative contingencies. The Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services will contribute $22,890,000. KMHC will contribute $5,721,800 through its own sources, including a $2,000,000 contribution from Health Canada. Current budget projections see KMHC increasing its contribution by $679,300 to fund evolutions to the preliminary program.
Project Schedule
Currently the project has received authorization from the Quebec Department of Health & Social Services to proceed to tender. As of August 19th, 2014 the tender is in preparation and is due to be released for public bids October 10th, 2014.
Contract award is planned for December 12th, 2014.
Construction is scheduled for completion August 18th, 2017.
In order to minimize disruption of services to the facility's clientele, construction is planned to take place in three phases.
The first phase of the project will begin with the new construction of a two-storey addition (and a full basement) to the existing hospital; which will run parallel to “Rabaska Road” and “Hospital Lane”. This phase of the project is expected to take approximately 14 months. 6 weeks are set aside for the facility to move in. Patients, in-patient clinical staff, as well as facility operations, and certain professional services will occupy the new wing. Some of these moves are permanent, while others are temporary.
Phase 2 of the project, expected to take 12 months, will see the existing men’s and women’s wards demolished and reconstructed in the similar manner as the first phase, with renovations to the facility maintenance and food service areas to improve service and house new clinical services.
In the third and final phase of the expansion, the current OPD clinic will undergo renovations to better serve the community. These renovations are expected to take 4 months.
The project is being bid as a general contract, via seao.ca, Quebéc’s on-line, open-bid system (“système éléctronique d’appel d’offres”). The contract is subject to the requirements of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke’s construction tendering policy in order that the community’s economy may benefit as much as possible from the construction. The contract is also subject to the agreement on labour between the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke & the government of Quebéc.
Temporary Accommodations
During construction, KMHC will not suspend any services. Maintaining service is a core aspect of KMHC’s mission and considerable planning has been devoted to accommodating services during the three construction phases. To provide an uninterrupted meal service, KMHC will establish a temporary kitchen in a local restaurant and deliver food for distribution to the residents.
During renovation of the outpatient clinics, the clinics will be established temporarily in the new basement, the newly constructed short-term care wing and other new areas. New intake of residents will be deferred until construction is complete and the wing is liberated.
Hospital Administration is not immune from construction disruption. Lateral bracing required to maintain compliance with current building codes will oblige the administrative function to be relocated within the building for several weeks.
Infection Prevention and Control During Construction
Building a hospital means building a clean hospital. The risk to patients and clientele associated with hospital-borne infections has led to the institution of enhanced protocols for cleanliness during construction. Builders working on the expansion project will be contractually committed to respecting higher standards.
Landscaping
KMHC strives to provide the best care for all patients. The Healing Gardens have been recognized as a place of recovery and recuperation. The tranquility and serenity that the Healing Gardens provide are valuable to patients and staff. The benefits include: accelerating recovery, encouraging physical balance, evoking positive feelings, reducing stressful thoughts and providing a welcoming place that visitors, as well as patients can experience. The Healing Gardens represent a very significant contribution by the community as this aspect of the project is completely funded by donations. KMHC will be contracting the Healing Gardens separately from the general building contract, but the landscaping work is planned to take place simultaneously with the building construction.
Art Integration
The project will benefit from a budget dedicated to the integration of artwork to the construction. Hospital administration has selected several locations for this initiative, both indoors & outdoors. The commissions are to be awarded to indigenous artists, promoting themes rooted in Kanien’kehá:ka culture & spirit.
Consultants
Project architect is Christos Kaltsas, arch and Fichten Soiferman Architects, in consortium. Structural and Civil Engineering services are provided by Pasquin St. Jean. Mechanical and Electrical Engineering services are provided by Bouthillette Parizeau and Associates.
This is a public healthcare facility and is listed as CHSLD-Center hopitalier Sante du longue duree.
