A preferred proponent has been selected as part of the next step towards building a new patient care tower and parkade at Penticton Regional Hospital.

The naming of Ellis Don Infrastructure as the preferred proponent follows an extensive evaluation of the three teams that were shortlisted and invited to submit proposals to design, build, partially finance and maintain a new patient care tower and parkade at Penticton Regional Hospital.

“We remain committed to an expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital because we recognize the growth of the region and an increasing demand on health-care services,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “In short order we will be celebrating the groundbreaking of this new patient care tower and the benefits it will bring for patients, families, and health-care professionals in this region.”

The next stage in the competitive selection process is to conclude a performance-based contract with Ellis Don Infrastructure by spring 2016, with construction activities beginning soon after. The new tower is expected to open in 2019. Details about the agreement will be released after the agreement has been finalized.

“Every step in the process brings us closer to the start of construction,” said Dan Ashton, MLA for Penticton. “It will have a significant impact on Penticton and the South Okanagan-Similkameen region creating upwards of 1,900 jobs for workers over the life of the project. Many individuals including myself have spent years working towards this expansion and to be so close to concluding the selection process is incredibly exciting.”