Alberta reaches new heights on cancer centre project

CALGARY — Construction on the new Calgary Cancer Centre has reached its highest point.

The final concrete pour of about 163 cubic metres now encloses the highest level of the facility’s main structure, stated the Province of Alberta recently.

More than 124,000 cubic metres of concrete has been poured for the project. Work on the building’s steel room, which houses the mechanical and electrical operating systems, and the exterior building envelope, which includes the installation of roofing, exterior walls and windows, is now underway.

This will seal the building from the elements and allow focus to shift to the internal work.

According to the province, about 7,600 construction-related jobs have been created as the result of the Calgary Cancer Centre infrastructure project.

“Achieving today’s construction milestone under the present circumstances is a remarkable achievement and is a testament to Alberta contractors and tradespeople,” said Prasad Panda, minister of infrastructure, in a statement. “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 1,000 workers are working onsite each day, keeping this important $1.41-billion project on schedule and budget.”

Officials said construction activity will be able to focus specifically on the installation of electrical and mechanical systems, studs and drywall and completion of the radiation therapy vaults.

The province added it will work with public health officials to monitor worksites across the province through the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the construction season proceeds while keeping workers safe.

The protocols include:

• Maintaining separation of at least six feet between workers.
• Avoiding in-person meetings when possible. If held, the number of attendees should be limited and workers are required to maintain separation.
• Ensuring personal hygiene practices and job sanitation measures have and continue to be implemented.
• Directing anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms not to come to work and to self-isolate for 14 days.

Construction activity on the site is expected to continue until late 2022. The hospital is expected to be open in 2023.

“Progress on the Calgary Cancer Centre is a great reminder that we’re moving forward with key investments for the future while we respond to the COVID-19 emergency,” added Tyler Shandro, minister of health.

“Patients with cancer and other diseases need care, and the health system will be there for them.”