Ontario Construction News staff writer
PCL Construction has been awarded a design-build contract to construct the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital in Saskatchewan.
The construction contract value is $898 million and includes the design and early works agreement awarded through a public procurement to PCL in December 2022.
The design build agreement includes an option to retain services for phased future renovations to the existing facility.
“On behalf of PCL Construction and the extended Design Build team, we would like to express how proud and excited we are to deliver the Victoria Hospital project for the Prince Albert, Northern Saskatchewan, and Indigenous communities that this hospital serves,” said PCL District Manager Mike Staines.
“The Victoria Hospital project is a significant investment in Prince Albert and surrounding area and will go a long way to accommodate the growing needs of the northern communities it serves,” said Health Minister Everett Hindley. “I want to personally express my sincere gratitude to Boreal Healthcare Foundation for their continued efforts and support to help make this project a reality.”
Work includes design and construction of a new acute care tower featuring a heliport on the roof, expanded emergency department, larger operating rooms, pediatrics, maternity, NICU, new medical imaging, and a First Nations and Métis Cultural space. The space will expand 40 per cent, from 173 to 242 beds.
“I am proud that our government is getting this project done and that it is the largest single investment, private or government, in the history of Prince Albert,” said SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister and MLA for Prince Albert Carleton Joe Hargrave. “This hospital will bring expanded and state of the art service to Prince Albert and the North and will benefit all of Saskatchewan upon completion.”
Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is working with the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) on designing the cultural space that will be central to the new main entrance. PCL will engage with local and Indigenous vendors to deliver services for the construction.
“Residents in Prince Albert and throughout the North will benefit from enhanced care that is available closer to home, made possible by the expansion of the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital,” said Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Andrew Will. “This important project provides the opportunity for the SHA to deliver expanded services for Northern residents in key areas, including intensive care, medical imaging, adult mental health treatment, and children’s and maternal services.”
PCL and the SHA will work to ensure minimal disruption to staff and visitors to the hospital during construction and renovation phases. Patient care is not expected to be impacted.
Site preparation/early works included construction of a new parking lot, which will be paved this spring. Construction on the new tower is expected to begin in spring 2024 with anticipated completion in 2028.