Beam Signing at the New South Niagara Hospital

A step towards success, driven through teamwork and steely resolve. Working in close partnership with Niagara Health and Infrastructure Ontario, EllisDon’s project team has reached a major milestone toward the new South Niagara Hospital becoming a reality: Structural Completion, more colloquially known as “Topping Off.” Once operational, the facility is set to advance the quality and access to healthcare in the Niagara Region for generations. It will shape patient care for the better, provide a cutting-edge environment for healthcare staff to advance their careers, and be a staple in the future of the growing community. Before all those life changing impacts can come to fruition, a dedicated group comprised of EllisDon’s project team, designers, skilled trades workers, support staff, consultants, Niagara Health staff, user groups, and vendors must come together and work in concert to bring to life each patient room, specialized department, and community healing centre.

“Attending this momentous milestone on this cold February day, it was clear to see the immense effort and expertise that has gone into bringing the South Niagara Hospital to this point,” said Andrew Anderson, Senior Vice President & Area Manager, Toronto, EllisDon. “This is an achievement that was built on the efforts of the project team, project partners, tradespeople, and support staff. As much as anything else, it’s an achievement of the collaborative relationship between EllisDon, Infrastructure Ontario, and Niagara Health – a relationship we’re eager to continue building while we get this facility over the finish line in 2028.”

This milestone is the culmination of three years of complex design and expansive construction activity. So far, the team of over 1,000 has installed 68,000 cubic metres of concrete, 10,500 tonnes of rebar and 1,100 tonnes of structural steel, along with other key materials, to bring the hospital to its current state – a mark it was able to hit on schedule as progress has been steady and consistent. To celebrate, Premier Ford, Minister McCarthy, Minister Jones, and MPP Oosterhoff were joined by a group of signatories made up of tradespeople, Niagara Health staff, and Infrastructure Ontario personnel for a ceremonial beam signing event. This event, a treasured tradition across the industry, marks the hard work and dedication it took everyone involved to get the building to its highest structural point. 1,000 individuals and their names will live forever within the final walls of Niagara’s new cornerstone facility. 

“Today’s milestone is a proud moment for Niagara Health and for the communities we serve,” said Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO of Niagara Health. “The completion of the superstructure reflects years of planning and collaboration by our teams, and we are grateful to the Province of Ontario for its significant investment in modern healthcare infrastructure, as well as to EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare for their partnership in bringing this project to life. The South Niagara Hospital will strengthen hospital care across our region and ensure patients and families have access to safe, high-quality care.”

Spanning 1.3 million square feet and 12 storeys, the South Niagara Hospital will house 475 private patient rooms, eight operating suites, and 42 hemodialysis stations. Each space was designed to deliver world-class care. With a 40,000-square-foot Emergency Department, advanced diagnostic imaging including two MRI machines, and over 55,000 square feet of ambulatory care space, the facility will work to increase capacity and reduce wait times for Niagara’s 450,000 residents. Built to achieve LEED Silver and become Canada’s first WELL Certified hospital, it prioritizes sustainability, accessibility, and wellness. It will also create a healing environment that supports patients, families, and staff for generations to come.

In the end, as impressive as this milestone is for all those involved, it’s the persistent commitment of the entire group working toward the singular goal of delivering a state-of-the-art facility that is truly being celebrated. It’s the renewed sense of purpose each member brings to the project that will enable them to overcome the impressive scale, complexity, and challenges along the way. The team will continue its progress, looking toward each coming milestone until Substantial Completion in 2028.