Crews break ground on $3.6B South Niagara Hospital
The facility aspires to be the first WELL-certified hospital in Canada, with design features prioritizing health and well-being.
A rendering shows the design of the South Niagara Hospital. – Niagara Health
Key Takeaways:
- The 12-storey structure will add more health capacity for the region, including 469 single patient bedrooms.
- EDIH (EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare) secured the $3.6-billion contract to design, build, finance, and maintain the hospital.
- Work is expected to wrap up in 2028.
The Whole Story:
Crews have broken ground on 1.3-million-square-foot South Niagara Hospital in Ontario.
“Today’s groundbreaking event for the new South Niagara hospital brings us one step closer to connecting the people of the growing Niagara region to more convenient care close to home for generations to come,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Right across the province, we’re investing nearly $50 billion over the next 10 years to support more than 50 major hospital projects. When it comes to your health, we’re building a healthcare system that all Ontarians deserve.”
The South Niagara hospital, strategically located at the intersection of Montrose and Biggar roads, is poised to bolster regional healthcare capacity. Its design aims to meet the burgeoning demands of Niagara’s aging population, encompassing centers of excellence dedicated to complex care, aging wellness, and stroke care.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones called it a “historic milestone” for the residents of the Niagara Region.
Lynn Guerriero, president and CEO of Niagara Health had this to say: “Niagara residents have been planning, wishing, and waiting for this hospital for more than 10 years. I am thrilled that today we have officially broken ground on this exciting new facility. The hard work, planning, fundraising, and dedication from our teams and the community is making this dream a reality. We are one step closer to building a state-of-the-art hospital that will transform how we deliver healthcare in the region and allow Niagara residents to get the care they need right in our own community.”
The 12-storey structure will add more health capacity for the region, including 469 single patient bedrooms, eight operating suites, 42 hemodialysis stations, and two MRI machines. Its services will span emergency, critical care, diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical domains.
The South Niagara hospital aspires to become the first WELL-certified hospital in Canada, with design features prioritizing the health and well-being of hospital users, including staff and physicians. This approach aims to create a more positive workplace environment.
Additionally, the hospital will feature an Indigenous healing space and garden, designed with input from Indigenous partners to foster culturally safe and welcoming areas for Indigenous Peoples.
EDIH (EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare) secured the $3.6-billion contract for designing, building, financing, and maintaining the hospital back in February. Teams have been collaborating with Niagara Health staff, physicians, and patient and community partners to ensure the hospital design addresses the complex requirements of this state-of-the-art healthcare facility.
The project team has chosen to prioritize the engagement of local sub-contractors and workers to bolster the local economy, generating multi-year economic benefits and fostering employment and community growth in the Niagara region. EDIH has already been awarding early sub-contracts to local entities and labor unions.
Decew Construction (Rankin Construction) has commenced site work, preparing for the installation of the construction trailer complex, which is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Excavation is scheduled to commence by the end of the summer, and the entire construction process is estimated to take five years, with the hospital slated to officially open its doors in the summer of 2028.
