Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Solicitor General announced that Bird Construction Inc. has been awarded the contract to design and build expansions at three adult correctional facilities: Niagara Detention Centre site in Thorold, Vanier Centre for Women site in Milton, and Cecil Facer Youth Centre site in Sudbury, which is planned to be repurposed as an adult correctional facility.
These expansion projects will help support safer work environments for frontline staff, increase correctional capacity and enhance supports for individuals in custody while creating additional space for programming and health care services.
“By expanding correctional facilities and bringing new beds online faster, we are strengthening our ability to hold criminals accountable and ensure that inmates serve their sentences in secure, modern spaces,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.
Bird Construction Inc. was selected as the preferred qualified respondent through IO’s existing Request for Qualifications and Standing Offer (RFQSO) process. IO entered negotiations with Bird Construction to deliver these facilities for the Ministry of the Solicitor General, concluding with the contract award. By using this type of streamlined procurement process, as well as modular construction, the Province of Ontario aims to deliver projects years sooner than a traditional development project.
Infrastructure Ontario will work with the Ministry of the Solicitor General to manage the project. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.
“We are pleased to once again work with the Ontario government, supporting its investments to increase correctional capacity and transform correctional services. Building on our previous work in Kenora and Thunder Bay, we look forward to leveraging our proven experience in delivering priority infrastructure, integrating innovation with conventional on-site construction, and maintaining our high standards of execution,” said Teri McKibbon, president and CEO, Bird Construction.
Featured image: Rendering of Niagara Detention Centre site. (Infrastructure Ontario)
