The initial steps towards construction of Weyburn’s new hospital are underway, said MLA Dustin Duncan, with the timeline on track for opening in 2023.
A sign to indicate the new location of Weyburn’s new integrated health care facility was unveiled on Jan. 29, with local dignitaries on hand. They included Reeve Norm McFadden of the RM of Weyburn, Coun. Mel Van Betuw of the City of Weyburn, Jeff Hayward of the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation, and MLA Duncan.
The site was first unveiled in an announcement in early September, when Premier Scott Moe and then-Health Minister Jim Reiter were on hand along with MLA Duncan and several members of city council and the Hospital Foundation.
Duncan noted that the SHA is currently in the procurement process for an “owner’s representative”. The successful firm will be responsible for reference drawing, specifications, indicative design, service planning and cost estimation.
“My understanding is that this part of the process closed over the past month and SHA will be awarding this contract in the very near future,” said Duncan.
Once the “owner’s representative” firm has completed their work, it will result in a second tender that is slated to go to the market in the summer of 2021. That tender is scheduled to be awarded to a construction firm in early 2022, after which construction will commence.
The estimated timeframe for construction to be completed is by the end of 2023. This is in line with the timeframes identified when the site was announced in September.
The sign is located between Fifth Street and Hamilton Street on a 20-acre parcel purchased from the City of Weyburn, which is the new site for the new integrated 35-bed facility. The new facility will include a 10-bed inpatient mental health unit, and will also integrate the EMS ambulance service into its location.
