MUHC reaches another redevelopment project milestone: Construction zone of future Glen Campus free of contaminants

For immediate distribution
 
Montreal, September 26, 2006—The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and the

Corporation d’hébergement du Québec (CHQ) announced today that the environmental remediation of the Glen Campus for The Montreal Children’s Hospital, the Shriners Hospital, the MUHC’s adult facilities, as well as its research and teaching activities is complete. Environmental remediation means the land is free of contaminants and ready for construction. The work was completed on time and under budget.
Dr. Arthur T. Porter, Director General and CEO of the MUHC, welcomed the milestone with enthusiasm: “It’s not every day that we give new life to a contaminated industrial site in a prime community location. I salute the leadership of the CHQ in shepherding the process, and the outstanding work of Hébert-Loiselle-Quéformat, the consortium entrusted with carrying out the remediation.”

The environmental remediation, begun in April 2005, wrapped up officially on September 14, 2006 at a cost of $38.2 million. A total of 2.2 million metric tonnes of soil were excavated from the site; of this total, 700,000 metric tonnes were removed off site at an average 120 to 150 truckloads per day during the peak period. Contaminants were consistent with the site’s former railyard vocation, primarily hydrocarbons, petroleum products and a number of other elements (bricks, asphalt, wood and concrete). Certification from the ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs will be provided once the remediation report has been completely evaluated. 

“In close collaboration with the MUHC and the L.A. Hébert-Loiselle-Quéformat consortium, the Corporation d’hébergement du Québec is extremely proud to have brought to term this important mandate. The success demonstrates that solid project management, including detailed planning, rigorous follow-up, constant and sustained exchanges with the various stakeholders, can make the difference. I pay tribute to everyone involved who participated in the environmental remediation of the Glen Campus, noted M. Michel L. Lesage, President and Director General of the Corporation d'hébergement du Québec.

Sustainable development best practices were deployed for site erosion and sediment control, management of construction waste, and water resource management. Demolition debris was recycled at a rate of 95 per cent, while the use of 3.67 million litres of potable water was diverted by using tableland and runoff and storm water to water down the site during work (for dust control and air quality management). As a result of this approach, the MUHC is on track to obtain credits towards its LEED accreditation (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) with the Canada Green Building Council.

Considerable efforts were also made to ensure that neighbourhood residents and merchants were not inconvenienced throughout the remediation process. The MUHC worked with the CDN-NDG borough to keep the public informed, and set up a dedicated phone line and e-mail address to handle questions from the community.

About the MUHC Redevelopment Project Guided by its mission and its role as the nerve centre of the McGill integrated university hospital network, the MUHC is carrying out a $1.579-billion Redevelopment Project that will help the Government achieve its vision for academic medicine in Quebec. Excellence in patient care, research, education and technology assessment will be fostered on two state-of-art campuses—The Mountain and the Glen—and through strong relationships with healthcare partners. Each LEED®-registered campus will be designed to provide patients and their families with “The Best Care For Life” in a healing environment that is anchored in best sustainable development practices, including BOMA Go Green guidelines.

About the MUHC The MUHC is a comprehensive academic health institution with an international reputation for excellence in clinical programs, research, teaching and technology evaluation. The MUHC is a merger of five teaching hospitals affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University: the Montreal Children’s, Montreal General, Royal Victoria, and Montreal Neurological hospitals, and the Montreal Chest Institute. Building on the tradition of medical leadership of the founding hospitals, the goal of the MUHC is to provide patient care based on the most advanced knowledge in the healthcare field and to contribute to the development of new knowledge.


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For More information, please contact:

Judith Horrell
Communications Manager, MUHC Redevelopment Project

Phone: 514-934-1934, ext. 71368

E-mail: [email protected]