WEYBURN — The physical build of the new Weyburn General Hospital is officially complete, marking the end of a multi-year project to bring enhanced, centralized health care to the region.
The provincial government announced Wednesday that construction on the new facility has wrapped up, clearing the way for the Saskatchewan Health Authority to begin outfitting the building.
The provincial government first announced funding to begin planning the new hospital in 2015. The specific site for the facility along Fifth Avenue North, and the formal announcement that construction would proceed, were made in 2020.
The project, spearheaded by Wright Construction Western Inc., broke ground in June 2023. Crews reached the 30 per cent completion mark in spring 2024 and steadily advanced over the last two years to finish the exterior and interior phases.
SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Sean Wilson called the facility a "long-term investment in dependable public infrastructure" that will serve residents for decades.
With construction finished, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is now entering the activation phase. Over the coming months, teams will move in furniture, fixtures and medical equipment while preparing staff for the transition and continuity of care.
"Our government stands by its promise to put patients first and I look forward to opening day, where residents will have convenient access to all their health-care needs," Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr said in a statement.
When it opens later this year, the 35-bed facility will consolidate several services under one roof. It includes 25 acute care beds, 10 inpatient mental health beds, an EMS ambulance garage, ambulatory care and a heliport for safer patient transport. It will also house workspaces for social work, allied health and the hospital foundation.
The provincial government invested more than $134 million into the facility's development. Meanwhile, the community contributed to furnishing the building, with additional capital costs, including furniture and medical equipment, funded through donations to the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation.
Foundation board chair Jeff Hayward called the 100 per cent completion mark an "extraordinary milestone" for the city.
"This facility is the result of years of commitment, collaboration, and generosity from countless individuals, businesses, and partners who believed in this vision," Hayward said.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is expected to announce an official opening date later this year once the facility is fully equipped and staffed.
