Ground breaking ceremonies held for construction of new Weyburn General Hospital
The City of Weyburn is one step closer to a new hospital facility.
“The current Weyburn hospital, which was built in 1952, it is safe to say has served its purpose,” Minister for Rural and Remote Health, Everett Hindley, told CTV News.
Officials broke ground on a patch of land on the outskirts of the southern Saskatchewan community which will soon be home to the brand new Weyburn General Hospital.
The new facility will house 25 acute care beds and a 10 bed mental health in-patient unit.
Those involved in the project expressed hope the facility will lead the way for more accessible healthcare in rural and remote communities.
“This is a testament to the importance of rural healthcare,” Hindley said.
“And how important it is that we have new facilities in rural communities across our province, including Weyburn, to help serve people across this province regardless of where they live.”
The project has a budget of $38 million. Funding will be provided by the Saskatchewan Health Authority's (SHA) $314.7 million capital expenditure budget for 2023/24.
The hospital will have an approximate area of 9,730 square metres, including an emergency services garage and helipad adjacent to the facility.
The helipad especially, is an important addition according to the MLA for Weyburn – Big Muddy, Dustin Duncan.
“[This is] ensuring that emergency services like STARS will be located right at the hospital,” he said.
“I know it’s a bit of an inconvenience for them to have to use the airport, which is a couple miles out of town, but now that service will be here.”
Construction is expected to be completed by December of 2025.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE @ 10:30 a.m. EST Bank of Canada drops key interest rate
The Bank of Canada has dropped its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 3.25 per cent.
Poilievre's Conservatives still in majority territory: Nanos seat projections
The Liberals' promise of a temporary GST break and $250 rebate cheques haven't benefited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his minority government when it comes to public support, according to Nanos Research data.
Investigators search for motive in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO as suspect's attorney denies client's involvement
Investigators are searching for a motive in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as murder suspect Luigi Mangione fights his extradition to New York from Pennsylvania, where police detained him at a McDonald's on Monday.
Tensions rising between Canada Post, union as strike nears four-week mark
Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are in a war of words as a countrywide strike enters its 27th day.
New Vancouver mom temporarily discharged from hospital to see Taylor Swift concert
A Vancouver woman didn’t let an emergency C-section keep her from Saturday’s Taylor Swift concert.
'He lost his spirit': Family wants answers after Indigenous man's braids cut at Edmonton hospital
The Saskatchewan family of an Indigenous man whose braids were cut off during a stay at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, without permission, is searching for answers.
'Baseball-sized hail': Toronto man owes car rental company $18K after hailstorm
A Toronto man is on the hook for about $18,000 after a car he rented over the summer was pelted by baseball-sized hail.
What financial experts wish you knew about divorce
Divorce is a major financial reset, yet also one of the worst times to make a lot of important decisions, according to financial experts.
Trudeau highlights Kamala Harris presidential defeat as an attack on women's progress
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says women's rights and women's progress is under attack, pointing to the recent defeat of U.S. presidential candidate Kamala Harris as an example.