Site preparation work is now underway after a construction contract was awarded for the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre redevelopment project.
Since 2019, work has been done, including the development of the business case, planning and coordination, public consultation, design, and early site preparation.
Clark Builders was awarded the construction manager contract to build the new patient tower and expand and renovate the existing hospital building.
The contractor will complete early site preparations, such as demolishing the existing Annex building and surface parking lot.
By early 2025, construction will begin on the new patient tower. Renovations will also begin in specific locations of the existing facility, with a focus on minimizing any disruption to hospital operations.
“The Red Deer Regional Hospital redevelopment project is a priority for our government,” said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health, and MLA for Red Deer North. “We recognize there is an urgent need to increase capacity and expand services in central Alberta, and the awarding of this contract signifies progress being made towards ensuring patients can receive the health care they deserve close to home.”
The project will expand and modernize the space, and provide upgrades to services throughout the hospital, such as adding 200 inpatient beds, increasing the size of the emergency room, and adding six new operating rooms.
The project will also add a new Medical Device Reprocessing department, new cardiac catheterization labs, and a new centralized power plant.
“I am pleased to see this vital project advancing with the awarding of the construction manager contract to Clark Builders. This is good news for Red Deer and improving access to healthcare,” said Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer South. “With site preparations underway and visible construction on the new patient tower beginning soon, there is a strong future ahead for our city.”
A new ambulatory building will also be constructed as part of the redevelopment project, but as a stand-alone project to be delivered using a public-private partnership delivery method. A contract with the successful organization is expected by May 2025 and construction will begin shortly after.
Over the next three years, Alberta’s 2024 Capital Plan is providing $810 million toward a $1.806-billion investment for the redevelopment of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.