Bowmanville, Ont. — The Ontario government has taken a significant step toward expanding health-care capacity in Durham Region with the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of Lakeridge Health’s Bowmanville Hospital. The project, one of the largest redevelopments in Lakeridge’s history, is expected to more than double the size of the facility and bring modernized care to one of the province’s fastest-growing regions.
The expansion comes as part of the province’s broader plan to bolster Ontario’s health-care infrastructure, with more than 50 major hospital projects underway or planned over the next decade. Officials say the Bowmanville redevelopment represents a milestone in ensuring that local residents can access care close to home while relieving pressure on the wider regional system.
“Our government is making record investments to protect Ontario’s health-care system and connect people to the care they need, when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Today’s milestone brings us one step closer to getting shovels in the ground for Bowmanville Hospital’s redevelopment and is another way our government is expanding capacity, decreasing wait times and ensuring that families in Durham Region can access the right care, in the right place, for generations to come.”
Competition for the Project
The release of the RFP follows a competitive request for qualifications (RFQ) process launched in August 2024. From that pool, two consortiums have been shortlisted based on their construction expertise and financial capacity: Bowmanville Health Partners (Amico Design Build Inc.) and PCL Partnerships (PCL Constructors Canada Inc.).
Both groups will now prepare detailed proposals outlining how they intend to deliver the complex project. Infrastructure Ontario and Lakeridge Health will evaluate submissions before naming a preferred proponent in 2026.
Expansion Details
Backed by more than $20 million in provincial planning and design funding, the redevelopment is set to transform the hospital’s capacity and facilities. Plans include the addition of up to 32 new beds, expanded inpatient and ambulatory care services, and a modernized emergency department.
Once complete, the Bowmanville Hospital will feature:
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Private and bariatric patient rooms designed for comfort and accessibility.
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A rooftop helipad for faster emergency response and transfers.
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Expanded critical and intensive care units to support the most vulnerable patients.
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New ambulatory care facilities and hemodialysis stations to increase access to life-saving treatments.
Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham, called the project a defining investment for a community experiencing rapid growth. “Redeveloping the Bowmanville Hospital will provide enhanced patient care by doubling the capacity of the hospital, expanding critical care services and introducing state-of-the-art features like an Ambulatory Care Centre and Haemodialysis Centre,” McCarthy said. “I would like to thank all our public and private sector partners for making the RFP process possible and bringing our community one step closer to a world-class hospital we can all be proud of.”
Provincial Commitment to Infrastructure
The Bowmanville redevelopment is one piece of Ontario’s broader infrastructure agenda. Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the province is committing nearly $60 billion over the next 10 years to hospital projects, including approximately 3,000 new beds. Overall, the government is pledging $200 billion to build hospitals, highways, schools, transit, and other infrastructure.
“Congratulations to the project partners for achieving another milestone in the Bowmanville Hospital redevelopment,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Once complete, local residents and families will enjoy a better and more modern health-care system for decades to come. Thanks to Premier Ford’s leadership, our government is investing in major health-care infrastructure for Durham Region as an important part of our more than $200 billion plan to build and protect Ontario.”
Local and Regional Impact
Lakeridge Health, one of Ontario’s largest community hospital systems, serves Durham Region with five hospitals, four emergency departments, three critical care units, and a range of specialty and community-based services. Cynthia Davis, President and CEO of Lakeridge Health, said the RFP release represents an important step forward in the organization’s long-term vision.
“The release of the RFP is a pivotal step in delivering on our promise to bring a more modern, purpose-built hospital to Clarington,” Davis said. “This project is not only about new infrastructure, but it’s also about creating stronger connections to care across Durham Region. We are grateful to our government partners, the Region of Durham, the Municipality of Clarington, the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation, and our community for their continued support. Together, we are advancing Lakeridge’s Health’s vision of ‘One System. Best Health’.”
What’s Next
With the RFP now issued, both shortlisted consortiums will refine their proposals over the coming months. A final selection is expected in 2026, with construction to follow shortly after. Once complete, the redeveloped Bowmanville Hospital is expected to stand as a cornerstone of Durham’s health-care system for decades to come.
