Construction will start soon on a planned renovation and expansion at Boundary Trails Health Centre that will add new acute care inpatient beds and provide a larger, more modern space for patient care programs.
“Manitoba is committed to strengthening the health-care system by providing rural communities more health services closer to home,” said Health Minister Audrey Gordon. “Investing in the expansion and renovations at Boundary Trails Health Centre reflect the increasing importance the facility plays in our health-care system and supports the expansion of specialized services at the site which will reduce the need for many residents to travel frequently to Winnipeg for care.”
Construction crews are currently preparing the site for the project’s first phase. Plans include a new, two-storey community services building and a new, two-storey inpatient building to be constructed adjacent to the current facility. Upon completion, the new community services building will house a number of existing programs currently located elsewhere in the community or in acute care areas of the health centre including public health, midwifery and a hospital pharmacy. Plans also include a retail pharmacy and other complementary retail services.
Renovations in the existing health centre will begin once programs have moved into the newly built community services building, providing larger spaces for several departments and programs such as surgery, cancer services, emergency, medical device reprocessing, ambulatory care and diagnostic services.
“Investing in acute care inpatient beds and additional space for patient care programs will further strengthen the range of services provided at Boundary Trails Health Centre and ensure it continues to meet the needs of residents in Winkler, Morden and surrounding communities for many years to come,” said Jane Curtis, CEO, Southern Health-Santé Sud. “We look forward to the completion of this significant project, which will provide greater access to specialized care for residents that is closer to home.”
At least $64.4 million will be invested in the project, with the Boundary Trails Health Foundation contributing $10 million towards the initiative. The expansion builds upon a project advanced by the foundation and other local community leaders.
“The foundation has been working hard to raise funds in support of this worthwhile project. Increasing acute care inpatient beds and the addition of a new community services building will further strengthen the network of resources that makes Boundary Trails Health Centre an important hub for medical resources,” said Ben Friesen, board chair, Boundary Trails Health Foundation. “The completion of the project will allow us to continue to meet the long-term needs of this growing area and support better patient care and sustainability of health-care services offered now and for many years to come.”
Manitoba is investing at least $812 million in building, expanding and renovating health-care facilities across the province in support of Manitoba’s Clinical and Preventive Services Plan . Led by clinicians, the plan establishes a geographic network of care that improves access for Manitobans, with other capital projects including:
- expansion and renovation of the Brandon Regional Health Centre and Western Manitoba Cancer Centre;
- renovations at Dauphin Regional Health Centre;
- construction of new hospitals in Neepawa and Portage la Prairie;
- expansion of Selkirk Regional Health Centre;
- expansion of Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach; and
- expansion of Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern.
Substantive work on the new community services building at Boundary Trails is expected to be complete by the end of 2024, the minister noted, adding work on the inpatient expansion is targeted for completion in 2025, with renovations to the existing space expected to wrap in 2026.
