EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare (EDIH) has been awarded a fixed-price contract of approximately $3.6 billion to design, build, finance and maintain the new South Niagara Site. The contract reflects the payments made during construction, the substantial completion payment, and the monthly service payments before inflation adjustments.

The South Niagara Site is working towards becoming the first WELL-certified hospital in Canada, incorporating design elements that promote health and wellbeing for everyone who uses it. It also expects to be certified to LEED Silver level. EDIH will soon begin site work on the building, with construction planned to begin this summer. The hospital will take five years to build, with occupancy planned for 2028. 

Lynn Guerriero, president and chief executive of Niagara Health, said: “The team at EDIH has created a truly impressive building design that is specific to our needs, showcasing their knowledge and expertise in healthcare infrastructure. The new state-of-the-art hospital is going to transform healthcare for the Niagara region and will attract healthcare workers to the region.”

The 1.3-million-square-foot hospital will be centrally located in Niagara Falls, just off the Queen Elizabeth Way. It will offer a full scope of hospital services, including emergency, critical care, diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical services, as well as centres of excellence in complex care, wellness in ageing, and stroke.

Twelve storeys tall, the new hospital will have up to 469 beds, a significant portion of which will be new, increasing the health system’s capacity to provide inpatient services for the region. In addition to featuring state-of-the-art infection prevention and control measures, the new hospital has also been planned with the space and infrastructure to accommodate new and emerging healthcare technology.

Spaces in the building will be designed to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors, creating a positive workplace environment that will help attract and retain healthcare professionals. Spaces will create culturally safe and welcoming areas for Indigenous peoples, following efforts to engage representatives in providing design input. The centrepiece will be an Indigenous healing area and garden.

The new hospital will bring multi-year economic benefits, boosting employment and community growth in Niagara by supporting local business during construction. EDIH will be responsible for assembling the construction team, however, Niagara Health will work with EDIH to promote opportunities for local businesses to get involved with the project. The healthcare provider will also be highlighting opportunities for community members to become involved.

EDIH was selected after extensive evaluations following a competitive request-for-proposals process that began in October 2021.

“Our government will continue to invest at record levels to improve healthcare for everyone, no matter where you live,” Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health commented. “Once completed, South Niagara Hospital will provide comprehensive care for residents for generations to come.”

Added Joey Comeau, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at EllisDon Capital: “It was with tremendous efforts put forth by a great deal of people to reach this milestone. EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare is excited to reach commercial and financial close and we’re looking forward to delivering this monumental project for the communities of South Niagara.”