Awarded to PCL Construction Management (PCL), the value of the construction contract is $898 million and is inclusive of the design and early works agreement, awarded through a public procurement to PCL in December 2022. 

The Victoria Hospital agreement includes design and construction of a new acute care tower connected to and directly north of the existing facility. The new tower features a heliport on the roof, an expanded emergency department, larger operating rooms, paediatrics, maternity, NICU, new medical imaging, and a First Nations and Métis Cultural space, among other key services. Overall capacity at Victoria Hospital, between the new tower and existing facility, will increase 40 per cent – from 173 to 242 beds. 

“The Victoria Hospital project is a significant investment in Prince Albert and surrounding area and will go a long way to accommodate the growing needs of the northern communities it serves,” Health Minister Everett Hindley said. “I want to personally express my sincere gratitude to Boreal Healthcare Foundation for their continued efforts and support to help make this project a reality.”

Boreal Healthcare Foundation’s philanthropic partnership on this project will contribute towards the furniture, fixtures and equipment needs for the hospital, helping elevate the care provided by staff and physicians, and resulting in improved patient outcomes. The addition of MRI and a second CT scanner will improve access and allow for highly complex diagnostics to occur closer to home for residents in northern communities. 

Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is working with the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) on designing the cultural space that will be central to the new main entrance. PCL will engage with local and Indigenous vendors to deliver services for the construction.

SHA chief executive Andrew Will said: “This important project provides the opportunity for the SHA to deliver expanded services for Northern residents in key areas, including intensive care, medical imaging, adult mental health treatment, and children's and maternal services.”

The design build agreement includes an option to retain services for phased future renovations to the existing facility.

“On behalf of PCL Construction and the extended design build team, we would like to express how proud and excited we are to deliver the Victoria Hospital project for the Prince Albert, Northern Saskatchewan, and Indigenous communities that this hospital serves,” commented PCL district manager Mike Staines. 

Site preparation and early works included construction of a new parking lot, which will be paved this spring, when construction on the new tower is also expected to begin. The tower is expected to be completed in 2028.

“I’m proud that our government is getting this project done and that it’s the largest single investment, private or government, in the history of Prince Albert,” said Joe Hargrave, SaskBuilds and procurement minister, and MLA for Prince Albert Carlton. “This hospital will bring expanded and state-of-the-art-service to Prince Albert and the North and will benefit all of Saskatchewan upon completion.”

MLA for Prince Albert Northcote Alana Ross added: “This new hospital will be in the heart of the community I represent, and it brings me pride to know that our government is making the investments needed for Prince Albert and the North to grow.”