Red Deer hospital $1.8B expansion builds for the future

Alberta’s government will invest $1.8 billion to redevelop and expand the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre as part of the province’s strategy to increase health care capacity, providing central Albertans with better hospital care for years to come.

The $1.8 billion hospital expansion is the largest in Alberta’s history and the largest taxpayer investment in the history of central Alberta. It will begin with a $193 million investment over the next three years and will include 200 new in-patient beds, increasing hospital capacity from 370 beds to 570 beds or by 54 per cent.

The expansion also provides for three new operating rooms, increasing surgical capacity to 14 operating rooms.

A new cardiac catheterization lab will also be part of the hospital’s expansion.

“For too long, central Albertans have been waiting for these critical upgrades and expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital. That’s why we’ve made expanding the Red Deer Regional Hospital a priority, and we’re putting our money where our mouth is. Alberta’s Recovery Plan has already seen healthcare infrastructure built from Grande Prairie to Calgary, and now, it’s making sure world-class health care is there for Red Deer and central Alberta for years to come with the largest investment in the history of central Alberta.”

“This important investment will ensure the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre continues to provide exceptional quality hospital care for the residents in the Red Deer region for decades to come. This investment is a key component of the Alberta government’s commitment to building health-care capacity throughout the province.”

The project’s next steps include functional programming and design. Completion of the expansion is slated for 2030-2031.

“Red Deer and central Alberta’s growing populations mean that our ability to effectively provide health care with the current hospital is limited, resulting in all too frequent disruptions to patient care. This needed redevelopment will increase capacity and expand services to meet central Albertans’ needs into the future. It’s another example of our government’s commitment to build health system capacity throughout Alberta.”

“I know how important this project is to the residents of central Alberta. This important expansion of the Red Deer hospital will create jobs and improve residents’ access to health-care services in the years to come.”

“The expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre is extremely significant for our city and long overdue. This historical investment means that central Albertans will benefit from increased surgical and in-patient capacity, benefiting our community in ways that were previously not possible. In addition, I am so pleased that local patients will finally have a cardiac catheterization lab as part of this amazing expansion, which will literally save lives. As the third-largest city in the province, this expansion will go a long way in providing the medical care and attention we have long needed and strongly advocated for.”

“This is welcome news for our staff and physicians at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, as well as to all those we care for within its walls. Being able to expand our in-patient capacity, as well as critical programs like surgical services with new operating rooms, is paramount to continuing to serve the health-care needs of central Albertans as so many rely on Red Deer Regional. On behalf of Alberta Health Services, we are grateful for the support of government partners in moving this project forward, and for the ongoing efforts of our teams who eagerly await this expansion.”

“This is a monumental day for our city and for the central Alberta region. It is with extreme gratitude that we recognize the provincial government for this significant investment in the care of central Albertans.”

“Located along one of the busiest transportation corridors in the province, Red Deer County serves close to 20,000 residents within central Alberta. The county welcomes this news and is appreciative of the Government of Alberta’s capital investment to our region for the improvement of health care for our residents.”

Quick facts

• The Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre is the busiest hospital outside of Edmonton and Calgary. It has the fourth-highest volume of any Alberta Health Services’ facility.
• Approximately 50 per cent of patients seen at the hospital are referred from communities outside of Red Deer.
• The hospital offers a full spectrum of acute care, including advanced surgery, internal medicine and diagnostics, as well as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology, critical care and emergency care.
• $100 million was allocated to the project in Budget 2020.