EverythingGP file photo

By Emily Keller

Long Awaited Hospital

Given excited for hospital construction completion, but knows more work still ahead

Jun 16, 2020 | 3:10 PM

Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure, Prasad Panda, announced on Monday that construction of the Grande Prairie Hospital will finish in June.

The announcement was made during oral question period in the legislature Monday afternoon, as Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard rose to seek an update on the progress of construction.

Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given says that he is excited to hear this news, but there is still a long road ahead before it can open to the public.

“This really is just one phase of a very, very long story. I’m very thankful to be nearing the completion of this phase of construction, but I also want to make sure that we get a clear understanding out into the community that Alberta Health Services (AHS) now has a significant amount of work ahead of it.”

He says that AHS will now have to work on moving equipment, programs, and staffing needs such as training.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“Although construction is complete, there will be some amount of time before that building sees it’s first patients.”

There is currently no official date for the opening of the hospital.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro said on Monday that AHS will aim to have majority of the work done on their end this year, but that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the process.

The project has undergone numerous delays since construction began in 2011, with a new contracter, Clark Builders, being hired in late 2018 after the then NDP government claimed to have fired the previous contracter, Graham Construction.

The project was originally projected to be completed in 2015.