Alberta announces new 'state-of-the-art' hospital in southwest Edmonton

A new hospital in Edmonton's southwest will be a "state-of-the-art"facility built to hold from 350 to 500 patients, says Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.

Notley, Health Minister Sarah Hoffman and Infrastructure Minister Brian Mason announced details of the new hospitalin a Tuesday morning news conferencefrom the new facility's confirmed location on a parcel of Crown land near Ellerslie Road and 127th Street.

The hospitalis intended to easepressure on Edmonton's agingMisericordiaHospital and serve the city's rapidly expanding southwest neighbourhoods.

'Badly needed'

The320-acre site was chosen because it can accommodate a health campus, haseasy access toAnthony Henday Drive and the Queen Elizabeth II Highway,said Mason. LRT planning includes expansion to the site before 2040.

Notleysaid the facility is "badly needed" in the capital region.

"A new hospital hasn't beenbuilt in Edmonton in more than a generation," Notley said. "The need for a new hospital is growing and we need to beready to meet that need."

The province plans to break ground on the facility in late 2020. Construction will be completedin nine years, but planning and development has already begun.

The location was chosen, in part, for its proximity to rapidly growing southwestneighbourhoods and the city's planned LRT expansion, Notleysaid.

• Southwest Edmonton 'most logical place' for new hospital, says mayor

The Albertabudgetallocated$400 million over four years to begin constructionof the new facility, but completing construction is expected to cost considerably more.

Finance Minister JoeCecisaid the total price tag could climb past$1 billion.

"I'm excited that Alberta Infrastructure will lead the construction of the firsthospitalto be built in Edmonton in over a generation," said Infrastructure Minister Brian Mason.

"This will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced health facilities in the city, and is an example of the kinds of infrastructure investments our government is making to make life better for Albertans."