The Government of Alberta announced that construction of the Gene Zwozdesky Centre’s new tower is now complete and will be handed over to Alberta Health Services and CapitalCare to prepare the building for patients and residents.

Further renovations will increase capacity at the Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood to create more space for residents waiting in hospital for a long-term home.

“I am thrilled that this project is so close to the finish line. It represents a significant investment in Alberta’s future. Not only does it add much-needed health-care and programming spaces, but construction projects like this create jobs and help to strengthen our economy,” said Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Infrastructure.

This new seven-storey tower will feature 234 complex continuing care and post acute beds, as well as new ambulatory clinics and an expanded Comprehensive Home Option of Integrated Care for the Elderly (CHOICE) Program.

“This project is an essential part of building a resilient and responsive continuing care system that meets the needs of Albertans. When this facility opens in the next few months, it will provide residents with not just a home but a community where on-location services and programs are available to meet their needs,” said Jason Copping, Minister of Health.

After a commissioning period, the facility is expected to open to the public this fall. These additional spaces will open more spaces in Alberta’s acute care system and further expand capacity in the province’s health system.

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Patients, doctors, health-care staff and the local community all provided input for the planning and design of the new tower. The ‘Y’ shape of the building provides every resident with a great view and improves staff workflow.

Budget 2023 invests almost $91 million over three years to complete the additional work required at the Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood, including:

  • renovating the Angus McGugan Pavilion to accommodate 116 hospice and complex continuing care beds
  • demolishing the North Pavilion and CHOICE day centre
  • constructing a stand-alone parking structure for community emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles and renal dialysis vans.

“This beautiful, purpose-built space will support people to live their lives fully, offering a continuum of care and services, including community care, rehabilitation, continuing care, research and learning,” said Carol Anderson, chief zone officer, Edmonton Zone, Alberta Health Services.

Once the entire project is complete, the more than 38,000-square-metre facility will have 350 beds, a fully accessible green roof, a community paramedic program, specialty dental clinic and respiratory outreach program, and will provide a wide range of other community services for Albertans with complex care needs.

“We’re excited this transformational space will be a real home for our residents. It’s a modern, innovative space that will serve the needs of the diverse population needing continuing care,” said Aileen Wong, chief operating officer, CapitalCare.

CapitalCare, which has proven expertise in providing continuing and palliative care, will operate the Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood.

Once complete, the centre will create 145 new continuing care spaces and renovate an additional 205.

The demolition of the North Pavilion and CHOICE day centre, as well as the renovation of the Angus McGugan Pavilion, will begin once the staff and residents move into the new tower and is expected to be complete in summer 2025.

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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.

Featured image: (Alberta Infrastructure)

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