CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre Beam Signing

Structural Completion reflects the teamwork, expertise, and shared commitment that go into building a facility that will support children and youth with complex needs. In close partnership with CHEO and Infrastructure Ontario, EllisDon’s project team has officially reached this important step towards realizing the new Integrated Treatment Centre (ITC). Once complete, this centre will redefine how care is delivered to children, youth, and families across the region, bringing specialized programs and services together under one roof for the first time.

For the ITC to reach this point, a dedicated team continues to seamlessly coordinate thousands of moving parts. Designers, trades professionals, EllisDon staff, consultants, CHEO teams, government partners and stakeholders are working together to plan and construct every therapeutic space, clinic, treatment room, and family support area. Their collective efforts continue to propel this much-needed project from the ground into a modern, accessible, six storey facility whose superstructure is taking shape on CHEO’s main campus.

“The many signatures and vibrant handprints placed on the ceremonial beam at CHEO’s Integrated Treatment Centre highlight the importance of this structural completion milestone to this transformational project,” said Mike Armstrong, Vice President & Ottawa Area Manager, EllisDon. “In collaboration with our partners at CHEO and Infrastructure Ontario, this moment represents the commitment of our project team, tradespeople, and community to bring this facility to children and families.”

The project team has brought together the materials, equipment, and expertise required to reach this stage – an achievement made possible by the skill and determination of individuals contributing across disciplines. By March 2026, the team installed approximately 265 tonnes of structural steel, placed over 1,000 tonnes of rebar, and poured the equivalent of 1,145 trucks worth of concrete. An average of 91 people have worked each day, contributing more than 130,000 hours to the project so far. To mark this milestone, project partners, tradespeople, CHEO staff, and community representatives navigated adverse weather to commemorate the occasion through a virtual presentation on March 11, recognizing the hard work and collaboration that brought the structure to its full height. The day before, children took part in their own celebration by adding colourful handprints to the ceremonial beam – a meaningful exclamation point to the moment.

The ITC will enhance CHEO’s ability to provide integrated, patient and family-centred care. It will feature expanded mental health clinics, specialized therapeutic areas, indoor and outdoor treatment spaces, and modern environments tailored for children and youth with complex emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs. Purposeful design considerations – such as accessible layouts, bariatric friendly spaces, and intuitive wayfinding – ensure that the building supports comfort, dignity, and ease of navigation. 

While the superstructure now stands complete, the work ahead is equally meaningful. Building envelope work will advance, creating a watertight shell for interior construction. Finishing and integration of specialized spaces is also continuing as the team works toward delivering a high-quality, modern, and inclusive care environment. Continuing our collaborative work, each upcoming milestone will bring the project closer to the moment when children and families walk through the doors of a centre built entirely around their needs.