Minister of Infrastructure Martin Long, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Nathan Neudorf, Crystal Elliott, CEO of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, and Colin Zieber, Senior Operating Officer with Alberta Health Services, gather outside Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge beside signs promoting the cardiac catheterization lab, ICU and CCU expansion project.
Chinook Regional Hospital is a key regional health centre that supports patients from Lethbridge and communities across southern Alberta. Alberta’s government has allocated $320 million to redevelop the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab and expand the intensive care unit and cardiac care unit. Design work is beginning this month, with construction anticipated to begin October 2027.
“Chinook Regional Hospital plays a vital role in delivering health care across southern Alberta. By investing in this facility, we’re helping more Albertans get the services they need, when they need them most.”
Chinook Regional Hospital is receiving funds to redevelop its cardiac catheterization lab and develop shelled space to more than double the capacity of the intensive care unit (ICU) and cardiac care unit (CCU). This will increase the capacity for cardiac services and expand the number of bed spaces in the ICU from 16 to 26 bed spaces, and in the CCU from four to 28 bed spaces, for a total of 54 bed spaces once complete.
“Albertans deserve timely access to the care they need, close to home. We’re investing to expand health care capacity across Alberta, and this project will bring much-needed cardiac care capacity to families across southern Alberta.”
Residents throughout southern Alberta rely on this hospital every day for emergency care, specialized treatment and life-saving services. For many patients and families, it’s the gateway to advanced care within the region, reducing the need to travel long distances for treatment.
“For families across Lethbridge and southern Alberta, the access to specialized cardiac care made possible by this investment will be life-changing. Congratulations to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, its donors and supporters for their tireless commitment to improving cardiac care in our region.”
“This project represents what is possible when an entire region comes together around a shared vision. Together, the foundation, Government of Alberta, Advisory Cabinet, Alberta Infrastructure, Capital Management, health care professionals, donors and community partners are bringing cardiac and critical care closer to home.”
Alberta’s government remains committed to making sure health care infrastructure keeps pace with rapidly growing communities across Alberta. These investments will support Albertans for generations to come.
Quick facts
- Budget 2026 approved $44.3 million over three years to complete design and begin construction on the Chinook Regional Hospital cardiac care projects.
- Alberta Infrastructure has allocated $320 million for the cardiac catheterization lab and ICU/cardiac care unit expansion at the Chinook Regional Hospital, supporting almost 1,800 jobs.
- The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation has raised more than $30 million to support cardiac care in southern Alberta.
- Design work is starting September 2026 and anticipated to finish September 2027.
- Construction is anticipated to begin in October 2027, with completion targeted for the end of 2031.
Related information
Related news
- Building cardiac care in southern Alberta (March 2, 2026)
- Enhancing cardiac services in southern Alberta (April 3, 2025)