Premier Ball Marks the Start of Construction of New West Coast Hospital

  • Executive Council
  • Transportation and Works
  • Health and Community Services

August 16, 2019

At a ground-break ceremony today, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, marked the beginning of construction of the new acute care hospital in Corner Brook.

Premier Ball was joined by the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources and MHA for Corner Brook, Cynthia Davis, CEO of Western Health and members of Corner Brook Health Partnership – the team of businesses selected to design, build, finance and maintain the new hospital.

Throughout the remainder of August, site perimeter fencing, more heavy equipment, and work trailers will be arriving on site. Excavation is scheduled to begin in early September followed by the pouring of concrete for the foundation of the building beginning in early October.

A job fair and employment website for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians looking to work on the construction of the hospital will also be hosted by Corner Brook Health Partnership in September.

The new seven-storey, 600,000 square foot facility with an estimated contract value of approximately $700 million, will have 164 beds and the same services currently provided at Western Memorial Regional Hospital, as well as an expanded cancer care program, including radiation services. The hospital is anticipated to be completed in 2023 and its design can be viewed online at youtu.be/FRv5AHMny9o.

In addition, work continues on the new long-term care home in Corner Brook which remains on schedule to open in 2020. Over the course of construction, an estimated 4,300 person years of employment and $498 million in economic activity will be created between both projects.

Quotes
“It gives me great pleasure to see construction beginning on the new hospital for western Newfoundland. We look forward to seeing the progress of construction over the next few years and to the day when the Corner Brook facility is providing residents in the region with improved health care in a modern environment.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“This is a construction project that will have a significant impact on the west coast economy. Corner Brook Health Partnership is building this hospital and wants the labour force to be from Newfoundland and Labrador. This construction site along with the job fair in September will lead to employment opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Transportation and Works

“Since we announced our plan for new health infrastructure on the province’s west coast, we’ve seen great progress and great momentum. People in this region have waited a very long time for this day, and placing a shovel in the ground to begin construction is a positive step towards the completion of one of Canada’s most modern and efficient acute care hospitals. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Communities Services

“Today we are proudly delivering on our commitment to providing excellent health care, as well as meaningful employment and economic opportunities to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. To stand at this site and launch the beginning of a new era in health care for the people of the west coast is truly a humbling experience for everyone who worked so tirelessly to make it happen. I look forward to watching the work at this site progress over the coming months.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources and MHA for Corner Brook

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Learn more
The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Way Forward: A Multi-Year Plan for Infrastructure Investments

Corner Brook Health Partnership Selected to Design, Build, Finance and Maintain New West Coast Hospital

Corner Brook Acute Care Fairness Advisor Report

Corner Brook Health Partnership Team Details

Follow us on Twitter:  @GovNL@TW_GovNL and @HCS_GovNL

Media contacts
Erin Sulley
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
erinsulley@gov.nl.ca

Brian Scott
Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 725-9201
brianscott@gov.nl.ca

Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
kathydickspeyton@gov.nl.ca

Susie Bugden
Constituency Assistant to
Honourable Gerry Byrne, MHA for Corner Brook
709-637-4056
susiebugden@gov.nl.ca

2019 08 16 11:45 am