$102-million Fort McMurray care facility completed

FORT MCMURRAY, ALTA. — Crews have wrapped up work on the Willow Square Continuing Care Centre in Fort McMurray.

Alberta Health Services has now started to outfit the facility with medical equipment and supplies. After commissioning work, which includes cleaning, testing, stocking and program preparation, the facility is expected to open later this year.

The $102-million state-of-the-art continuing care centre will have 108 beds with additional shelled space for 36 more beds to grow with the region. The province noted the project was completed under budget, despite a major forest fire, flooding and the pandemic.

“We have completed construction of the most advanced continuing care centre in Alberta, addressing a longtime need in Fort McMurray and area,” said Prasad Panda, minister of infrastructure, in a statement. “This project kept over 570 Albertans working in well-paid jobs and was an integral part in re-energizing our economy and Alberta’s Recovery Plan.”