$12.1 million windfall
Federal government to fund Montague, Tyne Valley manor replacements
Prince Edward Island is getting a $12.1 million windfall this year from the federal government to fund two long-promised manor replacements, The Guardian has learned. Work will begin to replace Riverview Manor in Montague and build a new manor in Tyne Valley as early as next week, after years of project delays. The federal government does not normally fund hospitals or health facilities, but an official with the premier’s office confirms Premier Wade MacLauchlan was able to secure funding for these long-term care facilities thanks for successful negotiations with Ottawa. “When the province agreed to the health accord with additional money for mental health and long-term care, as part of the provincial negotiations, he was able to secure funding for these (manors),” an official in the premier’s office told The Guardian.
There could also be more money coming to the province, thanks to these negotiations, the official added.
The province expected to spend $10.8 million this year as part of its capital budget for work on the new 49-bed Riverview Manor in Montague and a new 24-bed Tyne Valley longterm care facility.
The money the province would have spent on these two facilities will instead be put toward new social infrastructure, details of which will be announced at a later date.
“It will allow us to look at our five-year plan for social infrastructure and give us more flexibility and money to proceed with those projects,” the provincial official stated.
This could include such projects as a mental health transition unit, a new Hillsborough Hospital or a women’s correctional facility.
Tenders for the two manors projects were re-issued in February after previous tenders came in higher than expected. The low bidders from the most recent round of tenders were informed this week. Tyne Valley manor construction was awarded to Wellington Construction for $7.369 million. Montague’s tender was broken into a number of individual contracts for specialty specific work at total cost of $7.51 million.
The Guardian has obtained a copy of a letter sent to Montague Mayor Richard Collins Friday, signed by MacLauchlan, Transportation Minister Paula Biggar, Health Minister Robert Henderson and Finance Minister Allen Roach.
It advises Collins that construction of the new 49-bed long-term care facility will begin as early as June 19 and that the new manor is expected to be ready for occupancy in late 2018 to early 2019.
A similar letter was sent to the community of Tyne Valley.