Released on September 21, 2015
Construction officially began today on the new Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford provincial psychiatric facility. Construction will be complete by spring 2018.“Today’s groundbreaking is a big step forward in our government’s commitment to improve mental health services in Saskatchewan,” Environment Minister and Battlefords MLA Herb Cox said. “We know how important this project is to the people of the Battlefords and area, and to the people of this province. The new facility will ensure people get the help they need, when they need it, and in the best possible environment.”
“The new Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford aligns with the recommendations in the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan, ensuring that people dealing with mental health issues have access to timely and appropriate treatment,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said.
The new 284 bed Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford will have 188 beds replacing the existing 156 bed facility, and a 96 room secure unit for male and female offenders living with mental health issues. This is an innovative approach for delivering mental health care and supports to two separate groups of people with significant psychiatric rehabilitation needs.
“Prairie North Health Region is proud to partner with the Ministries of Health, Corrections and Policing, and Central Services, and with SaskBuilds and Access Prairies Partnership to develop a new Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford,” Prairie North Regional Health Authority Chairperson Bonnie O’Grady said. “Our patients and staff of Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford deserve this day that will, in about three years’ time, result in the modern, appropriate, state-of-the-art environment they so richly deserve.”
“This is a dream come true and will be such a blessing for the patients who are cared for here,” Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford Family Council Chairperson Celeste Bridgeman said. “It is going to be a significant improvement in all aspects of patient life. Today gives all of us - patients, families, staff, community and the health region – a real sense of excitement and belief in what’s planned for this site and the mental health care to be delivered here.”
Over the 33 year life of the contract, the province will invest a total of $407 million in Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford. This includes construction-related costs of $222 million, as well as the cost of required maintenance to keep the facility in “like-new” condition for 30 years. Ernst & Young, the project’s independent financial advisor, calculates the government will save $90 million (18 per cent) in total as a result of the P3.
“Access Prairies is delighted to have been awarded the contract to design, build and maintain this unique facility,” Access Prairies Partnership Bid Director Diana McGibbon said. “We are very much looking forward to partnering with the Province and Prairie North Regional Health Authority to help realize the vision of an integrated mental health complex that delivers client-centered and therapeutic services to its clients.”
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Ministry of Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Sarah Harrison
SaskBuilds
Regina
Phone: 306-798-1213
Drew Wilby
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5883
Prairie North Health Region
North Battleford
Phone: 306-446-6625
Orlene King
Graham