The Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Fund is supporting upgrades and renovation projects in Alberta Health Services’ hospitals and facilities, including emergency departments, sterilization and medical device reprocessing areas, pharmacies, EMS stations, ambulance garages and medical laboratories.

“Rural communities help make our province thrive and grow. This investment protects the lives and health of people living in these communities and also protects livelihoods by creating jobs as part of our multibillion-dollar Capital Plan to build Alberta and prepare it for recovery from COVID-19. Alberta’s government is committed to spending $50-million over three years to address often neglected rural health care needs and facilities.”

Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta

“Alberta’s government remains committed to rural health care and the rural hospitals so many Albertans rely on every day. Renovation projects are vital to modernizing smaller, rural facilities to ensure they offer the best and safest health services possible, in all corners of the province. This is part of our ongoing work to strengthen the public health system in Alberta.”

Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health

Alberta Health Services identified priority projects in all five health zones that will move forward in the next three years. The projects each ring in at $5 million or less and are expected to create about 280 construction jobs and stimulate the local economies.

“Wherever you live in the province, it’s important that your health-care needs can be met as close to home as possible. These renovation projects help make that a reality. The funding will have a direct impact on Albertans in these communities and allow AHS to provide better patient care in these facilities. The funds are important to the upkeep, quality of care, and the long-term sustainability of our facilities and the services we provide throughout Alberta.”

Dr. Verna Yiu, president and CEO, Alberta Health Services

Projects moving forward under this fund include:

South Zone

  • $1.6 million to upgrade the medical device reprocessing area in Brooks Health Centre
  • $1.5 million to renovate and upgrade the medical device reprocessing area in the Cardston Health Centre
  • $1.5 million to upgrade the medical device reprocessing area in Crowsnest Pass Health Centre
  • $250,000 to improve the emergency department triage area in Taber Health Centre

Calgary Zone

  • $1.6 million to add to the ambulance garage at Claresholm General Hospital
  • $4.2 million to renovate Didsbury hospital’s mental health and public health space, and consolidate rehabilitation medicine to one location
  • $4.7 million to renovate the medical device reprocessing area and $1.2 million to upgrade the pharmacy in High River General Hospital

Central Zone

  • $650,000 to redesign and renovate the emergency department triage area and desk at Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre
  • $1 million to upgrade the medical device reprocessing area, including cart washers and washer disinfector, in Olds Hospital and Care Centre
  • $3.8 million to renovate the emergency department and $2.1 million to renovate the medical device reprocessing area at Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre

Edmonton Zone

  • $250,000 to convert the washroom at Westview Health Centre (Stony Plain) to make it accessible to patients requiring bariatric services

North Zone

  • $1 million to renovate the medical laboratory in Fairview Health Complex
  • $2 million to renovate the medical device reprocessing area in Peace River Community Health Centre
  • $3.5 million to renovate the emergency department at St. Therese-St. Paul Healthcare Centre in St. Paul
  • $4.7 million to build a new larger EMS station in Slave Lake

“As a practising rural physician who knows first-hand the challenges of rural health-care delivery, I am proud to stand with rural communities in Alberta to celebrate this investment by the Government of Alberta in the revitalization of rural health-care infrastructure. RhPAP is excited about the improvements this $50 million will bring, and we are hopeful this is a sign of many more good things to come for health care in rural Alberta.”

Dr. Gavin G. Parker, Pincher Creek physician and board chair, Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP)

Another $10 million will demolish decommissioned health facilities in Claresholm, Edson and potentially elsewhere to prepare the sites for future development opportunities.

About $5 million for the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Fund has not been allocated at this time and is being held for future projects.

Budget 2021 protects lives and livelihoods with a historic investment in health care while laying the foundation for economic growth. Through the prudent management of tax dollars, Alberta’s government can continue to invest in priority areas to ensure Alberta emerges from COVID-19 stronger than ever.

Quick facts

  • Budget 2021 provides a three-year, $3.4-billion commitment for health-related capital projects and programs, including:
    • $2.2 billion for health infrastructure projects, including:
      • $45 million over three years ($15 million each year) for the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Fund, on top of $5 million provided in 2020-21.
      • $143 million for five new projects in La Crete, High Prairie and Calgary.
      • Continued investment to complete ongoing projects such as the Calgary Cancer Centre, the Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood (Edmonton) and the new Edmonton hospital.
  • $766 million for Alberta Health Services self-financed capital, for parkades, equipment and other capital requirements.
  • $343 million for capital maintenance and renewal of existing facilities.
  • $90 million for health department IT projects.