The Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood provides Edmontonians with the complex care they require in a safe and supportive environment. The opening of the new Norwood West building increases the continuing care capacity by 29 beds for a total of 234. The additional capacity will help address pressures on the health system by reducing the demand for emergency department visits, inpatient acute care services in hospitals and continuing care placements.
“We continue working to ensure that Albertans can access the health care they need, when and where they need it. I’m very pleased to see the Norwood West building open because it means that more Edmontonians will have access to the level of care they require. This is good news that will only get better when the entire project is completed.”
Now that the Norwood West building is open, work will begin on renovating the Norwood East building, formerly the Angus McGugan Pavilion, which will further increase the total number of beds to 350.
Budget 2023 invests almost $90.6 million over three years to complete further work required at the Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood, including:
- renovating the Norwood East building to accommodate 116 hospice and complex continuing care beds
- demolishing the North Pavilion and old Comprehensive Home Option of Integrated Care for the Elderly (CHOICE) Program day centre
- constructing a stand-alone parking structure for community emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles and renal dialysis vans
“We are proud to help deliver on our long-term plan to alleviate pressure on the health care system. Building vital infrastructure to increase capacity in continuing care is an important step in providing Albertans the care they need, when and where they need it.”
“This centre introduces an innovative model to rehabilitative care that's about people and community. We are incredibly excited that these new spaces, this new amazing home, will stand as a lasting legacy to Gene's sense of serving and caring for his community.”
The 38,000-square-metre Gene Zwozdesky Centre will feature a fully accessible green roof, dental clinic, hemodialysis satellite unit, new ambulatory clinics and an expanded CHOICE Program.
CapitalCare, which has proven expertise in providing continuing and palliative care, will operate the Gene Zwozdesky Centre. Together, CapitalCare, AHS and Covenant Health will each deliver programs from their respective portfolios at this location.
“Our commitment to continuing care is to ensure seniors and vulnerable Albertans have access to the care and supports they need right in their communities. With the completion of the Norwood West building, people with complex care needs will enjoy better living spaces, in familiar surroundings, with in-house health services. This is great news for Edmonton, as it paves the way for convenient, high-quality care close to home.”
“We’re excited to be the first residents in this new space. We’ll be able to explore the new gardens and spaces to visit with family and friends and make the space our own.”
“We are delighted to welcome residents to their beautiful new home and patients to the modern services at the Gene Zwozdesky Centre. These innovative spaces will assist us in providing quality care and quality of life to the diverse population we serve in continuing care and in our community programs.”
Quick facts
- The demolition of the North Pavilion and old CHOICE day centre, as well as the renovation of the Norwood East building, will begin once the staff and residents move into the new tower. The project is expected to be complete in summer 2025.
- The construction of a stand-alone parking structure for nine parking stalls for community EMS vehicles and renal dialysis vans is expected to be complete by summer 2025.
- This project has generated more than 2,200 construction and construction-related jobs and two million hours of on-site work.
- At the peak of construction, there were approximately 500 workers on site.