Phase 2 construction for Saskatchewan's new maternal and children's hospital has begun. Last week, Graham Construction and Engineering LP arrived at the site, which is located next to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, and began mobilization. This involved securing the construction area and setting up the contractor's site facilities.
"This week, our site activity increases as contractors begin site excavation," says Craig Ayers, Saskatoon Health Region's project director for Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan. "This includes exposing the 240 piles put in earlier this year in order to begin preliminary sub-basement construction. Over the next number of weeks, we will be focusing on digging to prepare deep plumbing work and completing some underground utilities work before winter freeze up."
Next week, construction activity will result in significant roadway changes at Royal University Hospital as work begins to create infrastructure connections to Royal University Hospital and University of Saskatchewan systems. Crews will also begin installing the footings required for two tower cranes to be located on the site in early October. One of the cranes is expected to measure 270 feet high, one of the largest construction cranes available in Canada. This crane will remain on site for the next three years and will be instrumental in building the new hospital.
In late August, Saskatoon Regional Health Authority awarded tender to Graham Construction and Engineering LP. Construction costs for the maternal and children's hospital is forecasted at $285.2 million, with $235.5 million (82.5%) coming from the provincial government, $21.4 million (7.5%) from interest earned by Saskatoon Health Region investments of the hospital's initial capital, and $28.3 million (10%) funded through the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan capital campaign.
"The Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan has been long looking forward to seeing the upward construction of the provincial children's and maternal hospital begin," says Brynn Boback-Lane, President & CEO, Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. "The families, individuals and businesses that have contributed to this project to date, will celebrate together as they see the walls of the new Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan rise."
Substantial completion of construction of the hospital is scheduled for early 2019, followed by commissioning of the complex building systems and equipment and final preparations for hospital operations.
"There is a lot of work ahead for us," says Ayers. "Our project team is working closely with Graham to safely and effectively ramp up construction activities on the hospital's main building. We know it is going to be a very busy site and we want to thank everyone coming to Royal University Hospital for their patience and cooperation. We will do what we can to minimize the disruption to traffic and parking as we continue to build."
Hospital opening is currently projected for later in 2019.
For more information or updates on construction and planning for the new hospital, visit Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan (Site Construction Camera) or follow the hospital on Facebook OR Twitter.
To donate to your new hospital or learn more about our important partner and Foundation, visit Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
Watch media question and answers here on this important next milestone with Craig Ayers, Saskatoon Health Region's Project Director for Children's s Hospital of Saskatchewan, and Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO for Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. (YouTube: Runs 8 mins)
