Ontario Construction News staff writer
Infrastructure Ontario and Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, have announced Substantial Completion of the $224-million West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) Redevelopment project.
Substantial Completion marks the point when a facility is ready for use under contract requirements and signals the end of major construction. The new hospital has now been formally handed over to HHS by EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare (EDIH), which delivered the project under a Design-Build-Finance model.
HHS will begin transitioning operations into the new building over the coming months, with patient care scheduled to begin in late fall 2025.
“We are thrilled to have reached substantial completion on the new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital project,” said Angela Clayton, president and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario. “Reaching this milestone reflects the dedication of all the project partners. We are proud to have helped deliver a hospital that will serve residents in the West Niagara community for generations to come.”
The redevelopment represents an almost 80 per cent increase in hospital size. Construction involved pouring 13,000 cubic metres of concrete and placing 14,000 cubic metres of backfill.
“This project is a major investment in the health of the West Niagara region,” said Bruce Squires, vice-president of Women’s and Children’s Health and site executive, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital. “Together, we have built a new hospital that will serve the region for generations to come.”
Highlights of the redeveloped WLMH include:
- 55 acute inpatient beds
- 100% private rooms
- Expanded outpatient and consultation space
- Advanced diagnostics, including CT, ultrasound, echocardiography, mammography and X-ray
- A new 24-hour emergency department
- Maternal and newborn services
- Day surgical services, including endoscopy and minor procedures
EllisDon senior vice-president Randy Reymer credited the efforts of hundreds of workers who contributed to the project. “Reaching Substantial Completion is a testament to their dedication, expertise, and perseverance,” he said.