The Government of Alberta says that construction of the main portion of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital will wrap up this summer. The new 64,000 square metre facility is more than 85 per cent complete and Alberta’s Infrastructure minister is looking forward to turning over the keys to Alberta Health Services.

“We are focused on getting this project across the finish line by completing construction as quickly and efficiently as possible,”  Minister of Infrastructure Prasad Panda said Sunday, shortly after touring the project and speaking with contractors to ensure the project is on track. He was joined by local members of the legislature Tracy Allard and Travis Toews.

“It’s encouraging to see the progress that’s been made here. This facility is of great importance to our region and has been long-awaited. I look forward to its completion and the additional support it will provide for our community,” said Toews, who is also president of the Treasury Board and minister of finance.

Hon. Travis Toews, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, Ken Wood, General Superintendent, Clark Builders Tracy Allard, MLA for Grande Prairie, and Hon. Prasad Panda tour the 3rd floor of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. - Courtesy Government of Alberta

The hospital will reduce travel time for patients needing specialized and complex care, including surgeries, cancer care and emergency services. A state-of-the-art cancer centre with two radiation treatment vaults will allow patients to receive treatments closer to home and reduce wait times.

A health-care training facility operated in partnership with Grande Prairie Regional College is part of the new hospital and will help train more health service providers in the area.

Installation and testing of mechanical and electrical systems, painting and final touches will take place over the next few months. The hospital will then be turned over to Alberta Health Services, who will prepare it for operations. Alberta Health Services will determine when the facility is ready to receive patients.

“It has been my pleasure as the new MLA to regularly tour the hospital and monitor progress,” Allard said. “The hospital project was one of the top issues identified by residents during the election campaign and I’m pleased to report that our government is committed to seeing this facility operating. Thank you to those teams that have taken on the challenge and been committed to completing this project.”

The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital will function as a regional referral centre, providing health services to northwestern Alberta residents.