The Ontario government has selected Bird Construction Inc. to complete infrastructure expansion projects at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre and Kenora Jail. The expansion will improve the safety of staff and inmates and expand access to programming and services.
Ontario Newsroom reports that the construction of the new structures at both facilities will help to increase access to literacy, skills development and technology programs that support safe community reintegration. This investment will also help with overcrowding in Kenora and Thunder Bay ahead of construction of the new Thunder Bay Correctional Complex.
"Our government continues to take action to enhance the safety of frontline staff while working to improve programming for inmates, including supports specifically tailored to indigenous individuals. We remain committed to working with frontline staff and our justice partners to strengthen our corrections system and public safety in the North."
Solicitor General | Sylvia Jones
Indigenous leadership and organizations will have input into the culturally appropriate spaces and aspects of the facilities.
CBC News states that the project will see the addition of modular structures at the two facilities and work is scheduled to begin in April.
The expansions, which will be about 1,500 to 2,000 square metres in size, are expected to be completed in the spring of 2022. The total cost is not available at this time.
Ontario Solicitor General, Sylvia Jones stated that planning remains ongoing for a new Thunder Bay correctional facility. However, she said requests for proposals for that project have not yet been sent out.
"We are working with Infrastructure Ontario on that piece and as the bids are prepared and reviewed, then we will have a much better timeline in terms of when we can expect the build, and ultimately to be able to open it."
Solicitor General | Sylvia Jones
According to Financial Times Markets, this award to Bird Construction comes on the heels of the successful delivery of Phases I and II of the Ontario Provincial Police Modernization Projects, executed through a consortium led by Bird, and delivered for IO and the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
These state-of-the-art facilities include unique designs reflecting the communities in which they serve and are a testament to Bird's proven expertise and experience in designing, constructing and commissioning fast-tracked and rapid delivery builds.
Bird Construction is a leading Canadian construction company operating from coast-to-coast and servicing all of Canada's major markets. Bird provides construction services from new construction for industrial, commercial and institutional markets including:
- Industrial maintenance
- Repair and operations services
- Heavy civil construction
- Contract surface mining
- Vertical infrastructure
- Electrical, mechanical and specialty trades
For over 100 years, Bird has had an unwavering commitment to safety and a high level of service that provides long-term value for all stakeholders.
