PRINCE ALBERT — Construction of the new Prince Albert Victoria Hospital (PAVH) acute care tower has reached 50 per cent completion and is progressing on schedule, according to Sask. Health.
PCL Construction Ltd. has completed assembly of the primary structure, including the heliport. Exterior insulation is nearing completion, and exterior cladding work is in progress. With access to the full tower, crews are advancing work on major mechanical and electrical systems and interior finishes, including drywall and door frames, are well underway.
The new multi-story acute care tower at Victoria Hospital will increase capacity by approximately 40 per cent, raising inpatient beds from 174 to 242. Key features of the new space include a rooftop heliport, larger emergency and operating rooms, dedicated pediatrics and maternity units, a new adult mental health and intensive care unit, and enhanced medical imaging with the region's first MRI. In addition, the Malhotra Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will be relocated to the new tower and the number of bassinets will increase from 11 to 13.
"Reaching the 50 per cent completion milestone marks meaningful progress on a critical project that will strengthen care in Prince Albert and across northern Saskatchewan," Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) CEO Andrew Will said.
"Our teams are already preparing to ensure the expanded Prince Albert Victoria Hospital is ready to deliver enhanced care for patients, enabling more care to be provided closer to home for residents of the north."
"Reaching the halfway point of the Acute Care Tower expansion is an exciting milestone for both our community and the province and speaks to the incredible collaboration and joint commitment between the city and the province to invest in modern, accessible health care," Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky said.
"This hospital is not only vital to our residents but also serves as an essential regional and provincial hub serving all of Northern Saskatchewan. We are thrilled to see this progress and look forward to the benefits it will bring for years to come."
Boreal Healthcare Foundation, the City of Prince Albert and surrounding communities are providing support to cover the cost of furniture, fixtures and equipment.
"Reaching 50 per cent completion is a significant milestone for the Vic," Boreal Healthcare Foundation CEO Cody Barnett said.
"For Prince Albert and all of northern Saskatchewan, this project has been decades in the making, and watching the new tower rise is a testament to what we have been saying for years, that we deserve better. But construction is only a part of the story; it is only a building until the community raises the funds to equip it with the technology and tools it needs to serve patients, and that is exactly what the Equip the Vic Campaign is here to do. With completion on the horizon, the commitments being made today will determine what kind of hospital opens in 2028."
Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), a key partner in this project, has been actively involved in the facility's design from the outset.
"This is an exciting milestone for Prince Albert, surrounding First Nations and northern Saskatchewan," PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said.
"Reaching 50 per cent completion shows that this long-awaited vision is truly taking shape. Victoria Hospital is a vital regional hub for many families, and this expansion will provide more beds, stronger services and specialized care closer to home. PAGC is proud to have been involved from the early stages, including input into the dedicated First Nations and Métis cultural space. We look forward to this project continuing to move ahead and the positive impact it will have for the people and communities this hospital serves."
PCL Construction Ltd. and the Saskatchewan Health Authority are working to ensure minimal disruption for visitors and staff at this stage of construction. Impact on patients or patient care is not anticipated.
"Reaching the 50 per cent construction milestone and surpassing one million worker hours, along with completing the primary structure, installing the heliport and advancing major mechanical, electrical and interior work, demonstrate the strong momentum of this project," PCL Construction Project Director Grant Selinger said.
"This is truly a collective effort, and we thank the Saskatchewan Government, SHA, the City of Prince Albert, the community, user groups, consultants, trade partners and skilled workers on site. This hospital will have a lasting impact across northern Saskatchewan, and we are proud to be delivering it together."
The facility is expected to be completed by spring 2028.
