Modernizing the System

New Construction and Retrofits

In 1996, Ontario launched the Infrastructure Renewal Program to transform the province's aging correctional system into one that is safe, secure, efficient, effective and accountable.

This initiative involves expanding, retrofitting and building new correctional facilities, as well as decommissioning older facilities.

Here is a summary of projects involving new construction, retrofit and/or expansion and their status.

Projects Identified in September 1996

Toronto East Detention Centre

• security retrofit project
• began May 1997
• completed February 1999

• security retrofit project
• began October 1997
• completed January 1999

Maplehurst Correctional Complex (Milton)

• expansion of beds from 600 to approximately 1,550
• began April 1998
• completed spring 2001
• retrofit of existing building began in summer 2000
• total approximate cost $89 million
• 1,500 construction-related jobs

• construction of a new 1,184-bed facility
• began May 1998 and was completed in spring 2001
• total approximate cost $85 million
• 1,500 construction-related jobs created

Central East Correctional Centre (Lindsay)

• construction of a new 1,184-bed facility
• began March 1999 and was completed in summer 2002
• total approximate cost $80 million
• 1,400 construction-related jobs created

Project Identified in July 1997

• security retrofit project
• began May 1998
• completed March 2000

Projects Identified in September 1998

• project includes both new construction (Phase 1) and retrofit (Phase 2)
• phase 1 began in spring 2000 and was completed in 2002
• phase 2 will include renovations to include a retrofit of Block A and major alterations to the administrative, staff, support service, kitchen and laundry areas in Blocks B and C
• phase 2 is currently in the design stage and will be tendered shortly
• total approximate cost $26 million
• 450 construction-related jobs created

St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre (Brockville)

• retrofit of existing Brockville Psychiatric Hospital
• project involves:
• 100-bed secure treatment unit and 44-bed forensic unit
• scheduled for completion in winter 2003
• 300-bed correctional treatment unit and 50-bed remand unit
• estimated completion spring 2004
• total approximate cost $80 million
• 1,400 construction-related jobs created

Projects Identified in May 2000

• construction project to include construction of a 100-bed adult strict discipline facility in the Near North area
• exact location to be determined
• projected costs and construction employment to be determined

• security retrofit project is currently in the planning stage

• security retrofit project
• scheduled completion spring 2004
• total approximate cost $800,000
• 14 construction-related jobs created

• construction and retrofit work at the North Bay Psychiatric Hospital
• project will include one 192-bed pod consisting of 96 beds for remanded offenders, 96 beds for sentenced offenders and a 50-bed secure treatment unit
• project is currently nearing completion of the design stage
• estimated completion date has yet to be determined

• security retrofit project currently in the planning stage

• new construction to include one 192-bed male housing unit, new admissions and discharge areas, segregation units, visiting area and infirmary
• retrofit will result in a new, separate, 30-bed bed male unit with separate admissions and discharge areas, visiting area and program space
• project currently in the planning stage.

Projects Identified in June 2000

• project began in January 2002
• involves the construction of a 48-bed maximum security remand addition and a maximum security admissions and discharge addition to the existing Northern Treatment Centre in Sault Ste. Marie
• scheduled to be substantially complete in January 2003