An update on construction for the new Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital.
Windsor Regional Hospital provided an update on Thursday afternoon following the latest Market Update from Infrastructure Ontario.
The update now anticipates that the procurement process for the new hospital will be delayed by three months, and the Request for Quotation, which is a request for pricing from suppliers, will now happen before September rather than June.
The revised timeline is a result of evolving national and international construction market conditions such as cost increases, supply chain disruptions, skilled labour shortages and tariffs.
This second phase includes construction of education and administration spaces, a parking structure, and essential site infrastructure to lay the groundwork for the hospital.
This first phase of the project remains on schedule with groundbreaking expected early 2026.
Brandon Bailey, Vice President of Redevelopment with Windsor Regional Hospital, says the decision has been made to delay the RFQ by three months.
"Which is to give Infrastructure Ontario a bit of time to access the evolving market conditions, to make sure that we're bringing the next component of the project to the market is done so in a manner that entices competitive bids, and make sure that we get a good value for money on our project."
He says this won't have an impact on the completion of the project.
"From the hospitals perspective, we're still working diligently everyday. This year we've already conducted over 200 user group meetings to make sure that we advance the design as quickly, and as thoroughly as possible. So while Infrastructure Ontario is assessing the best way to deliver this to the market, we're making sure that we're ready so when they determine the best way to package it up we're ready to go."
Bailey says Infrastructure Ontario is focusing on impacts from tariffs imposed by the United States.
"This is, I think, part of the reason why Infrastructure Ontario is taking three months to assess the quickly evolving landscape. But that is not Windsor Regional Hospital's priority. Our priority is designing the right facility for our community, and Infrastructure Ontario will lead the way with respect to procurement."
In early February, Essex County Council had asked for a hospital representative to attend a meeting to provide an update on the project which Bailey states is currently being coordinated.
A total cost for the project could not be provided.
Windsor Regional Hospital and project leadership continue to work with the Ministry of Health and Infrastructure Ontario to advance the second phase of the project.