Library at Alberta Hospital in Edmonton. Photo credit: AHS Communications
Alberta’s government is putting forward more than $141 million for new construction and facility improvements at Alberta Hospital Edmonton (AHE).
AHE has been delivering mental health services for more than 100 years, first opening its doors in 1923.
“Adding new addiction treatment facilities to the campus is a step forward in building mental health and addiction system capacity,” said Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.
“This investment will ensure Alberta Hospital Edmonton is helping Albertans pursue recovery for years to come.”
The capital funding will support upgrades for campus infrastructure, unit renovations and demolition of vacated buildings at Alberta Hospital Edmonton.
The investment will also support building the Edmonton Recovery Community and the Northern Alberta Compassionate Intervention Centre on the AHE campus.
Overall, the capital investment will help maintain important hospital infrastructure for the existing 460 treatment beds and outpatient psychiatric services while also increasing addiction treatment capacity within Edmonton by 225 beds.
“Our commitment to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care goes hand in hand with our responsibility to provide safe, modern environments for both patients and staff,” said Kerry Bales, CEO, Recovery Alberta.
“This investment in new infrastructure allows us to better support Albertans on their recovery journey while ensuring Recovery Alberta’s clinicians and teams have the facilities they need to do their vital work safely and effectively.”
More specific, $38 million will go towards building the Edmonton Recovery Community, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2027.
The 75-bed facility will provide residents with holistic, long-term addiction treatment for up to one year.
More than $90 million in capital funding will go towards building the Northern Alberta Compassionate Intervention Centre, which is expected to be completed in 2029.
This new 150-bed centre will provide patients with access to a full spectrum of mental health and addiction supports to address their complex health needs.
The centre will include spaces for intake assessments, medically supported detox, counselling, individual and group therapy and more for those receiving care under the proposed Compassionate Intervention Act.
More than $13 million in capital maintenance and renewal funding will go towards updating the AHE campus infrastructure, including various mechanical upgrades, water main repairs, boiler repairs, roof replacements and unit renovations.
Two vacant buildings will be demolished along with the water tower. Planning for the demolition of three more vacant buildings is also underway.
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