Construction of new adult Mental Health and Addictions Centre complete

Major construction has been completed on time for the new adult Mental Health and Addictions Centre in St. John’s, representing yet another successful public private partnership (P3) infrastructure project in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In an event today at the new centre, the building was officially handed over by Avalon Healthcare Partnership (AHP) to the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. NL Health Services is now in operational control of the facility and will begin the process of moving equipment and staff to the new facility, with the goal of opening the new centre to the public in spring 2025.

The new, 240,000-square-foot, six-story, state-of-the-art facility has 102 beds and will provide a modern approach to mental health and addictions-based care, which links physical and mental health services, offering patients and their families holistic and integrated care.

The new centre will be an integral part of a mental health and addictions system and provide a user-friendly environment for health care professionals and modern mental health services for patients and clients, such as:

• a forensic unit
• two adult acute units
• a geriatric unit
• a short stay unit
• eating disorder inpatient program

Inpatient amenities will include a therapeutic mall with services such as physiotherapy, a village square, fitness studio, art therapy program and horticultural suite.

The handover marks the conclusion of major construction of the building and the start of the 30-year term of facility management by AHP. The partnership consists of the following major participants: Plenary Americas, Marco Group Ltd., G.J. Cahill and Company (1979) Limited, Cahill Facility Management Ltd., B+H Architects, John Hearn Architect Inc., Smith and Andersen, Entuitive and R.V. Andersen Associates Limited. In 2020, AHP was selected to design, build, finance and maintain the new adult Mental Health and Addictions Centre with a contract value of $330 million.

The building incorporates modern-day architectural and design features that recognize the relationship between design and healing environments. With features such as abundant open spaces, natural light and therapeutic spaces inside and out, and places to engage with family and the community, the centre provides a village-like atmosphere with positive and uplifting spaces. From concept to design, to implementation and launch, persons with lived and living experience, along with partners in government, NL Health Services and community, individuals and groups have played a crucial role in its healing-focused design.

Quotes

“The official handing over of the building from Avalon Healthcare Partnership today is another step along our journey of health care transformation in Newfoundland and Labrador. It represents a focus on care of the whole person – mind and body. There will be no more segregation in health care just because someone has a mental illness. Everyone deserves the right to live and receive treatment in their community, and this new facility is based on a model of care that keeps people in the community and closer to home.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Modern health care infrastructure plays a major role in the delivery of appropriate health care services to the residents of our province. This new facility was constructed to be an environment that is focused on healing, tranquility and well-being, and it certainly meets those objectives. It will undoubtedly have a major positive impact on the delivery of mental health and addictions care in our province when patients are welcomed through its doors next spring.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Minister of Rural Economic Development

“Today we begin an exciting new chapter in our journey to achieve mental wellness for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. As a government we recognize positive mental health is essential to our overall health and well-being. The new Mental Health and Addictions Centre highlights our commitment to ensuring improved physical and mental health and well-being for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians through a modern facility and a holistic, person-centered approach.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

“We are delivering today on our commitment to transforming mental health and addictions services here in our province. This remarkable new facility will provide a modern and integrated approach to mental health and addictions-based care which aligns with recommendations of the Towards Recovery plan as well as the Health Accord. The Mental Health and Addictions Centre represents years of commitment, collaboration and perseverance to achieve quality health care – both physical and mental – to help the people of our province to thrive in their communities.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Health and Community Services

“NL Health Services’ new Mental Health and Addictions Centre is a result of the collective efforts of the Provincial Government, the Avalon Healthcare Partnership, physicians, management, staff and our valued client and family advisors. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone for their efforts and vision to reach this milestone today. The next six months will be a busy time as we prepare to open the facility to patients. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our staff and physicians as they continue to provide front line mental health care and services while transitioning to the new facility.”
Karen Stone, KC
Interim CEO, NL Health Services

“The Avalon Healthcare Partnership team is excited to mark the end of construction on this transformative facility that will help change the face of adult mental health and addictions care in Newfoundland and Labrador. This project embodies the benefits of a public-private partnership with its innovative design, collaboration with multiple public stakeholders, and its on-time construction completion. We look forward to our ongoing role delivering best-in-class facility management services, while the talented health care professionals deliver best-in-class care to patients and families.”
Hafeez Habib, Senior Vice-President, Plenary Americas
Avalon Healthcare Partnership

“Continuing in the direction of more accessible and person-centered mental health and addiction services requires transformation across the entire health care system. Moving away from the old Waterford Hospital to the Mental Health and Addiction Centre will hopefully allow people receiving care to continue their recovery journey in a building that supports best practices and promotes self-determination in design and programming.”
Brad Glynn
Executive Director
Lifewise Mental Health Peer Services