Sod turned for new Saskatchewan Hospital

After years of waiting, the sod has finally been turned to begin construction of the new Saskatchewan Hospital and integrated correctional facility.

The sod-turning event took place Monday afternoon and was attended by officials from Prairie North Health Region and from the government of Saskatchewan, with seven cabinet ministers in attendance.

One of those ministers was Herb Cox, MLA for the Battlefords, who noted that in his duties he had the fortune of attending many announcements in the Battlefords representing the government.

But he described this announcement of start of construction for the new Saskatchewan Hospital as “probably the Godzilla of all announcements.”

Also attending were a large number of guests including civic leaders Mayor Ian Hamilton of North Battleford and Mayor Derek Mahon of Battleford, as well as hospital staff and patients from the existing facility.

The announcement ceremony took place in front of the land where the new facility will be built, to the northwest of the existing Saskatchewan Hospital that has been in operation for more than 100 years.

That is where construction will be taking place over the next 33 months. 

The existing 156-bed facility will be replaced by a new 188-bed facility that includes an additional integrated 96-room secure unit for male and female offenders living with mental health issues.

The new integrated facility is being built as a P3 model. This will include a 33-year contract with Access Prairies Partnership not just to develop and build the facility, but also to maintain it. 

According to the province the total investment will be about $407 million on both the construction (estimated at $222 million) and also the maintenance side over the 33-year period.

In speaking to reporters Health Minister Dustin said this should mean “after the 33-year period the facility will be like new.”

However, the minister notes “it’s still going to be our officials and our staff” within the facility.

The health minister is looking forward to seeing the project completed.  

“People here in the community can now see that this project is a reality and it’s going to go forward,” said Duncan. “Three years from now we’ll have the grand opening of the brand-new facility to replace the 100-year old Saskatchewan Hospital.”