The provincial government says construction on the estimated $300 million renewal of the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert is expected to begin next year.
That would further boost construction activity already set for the city with other planned projects expected to get underway, as well as provide a possible knock-on effect for housing starts, according to one industry representative.
In a media release Tuesday, the government said Stantec Ltd. (Stantec) has been selected as the design team for the redevelopment. Stantec will be responsible for technical advisory work and leading the design of the expansion and renewal.
“Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert is the major hub for essential health care services across Northern Saskatchewan,” Health Minister Paul Merriman was quoted as saying, in part. “Our government is pleased to see this project moving forward, and looks forward to working with the local community and our indigenous partners to ensure it includes all the services and amenities they require.”
“We’re feeling fairly optimistic about the next year,” President Shaun Cripps told
paNOW. “But we’re feeling extremely optimistic over the next three to five.”
Cripps said things in the commercial construction sector are already improving, which should lay the foundation for more new homes to be built in Prince Albert starting in 2022.
“They’re going to need people to work at these place,” Cripps said.
Several large projects are on the horizon in the coming year including a new eco-friendly furniture manufacturer in the R.M. of Buckland, the $60 million recreation centre scheduled to break ground in the fall, and the Rose Garden Hospice, which is hoping to break ground in the spring. Construction on the Victoria Hospital expansion could also potentially start late in 2021.