Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford
Location: North Battleford, Saskatchewan
Status: Operational
Provincial/Federal/Municipal: Provincial
Value of Partnership: $407 million (construction and maintenance costs)
Type of P3: DBFM
Financial Close: August 27, 2015
Substantial Completion: March 8, 2019 (official opening)
Handback: 2048
The Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford replaced a century-old psychiatric facility with a modern 284-bed provincial centre designed to support long-term psychiatric rehabilitation and mental health services.
The hospital serves patients whose needs cannot be met in acute inpatient units, long-term care homes or correctional facilities and operates as the province’s central resource for complex mental health treatment.
Construction started in 2015 and concluded in 2018, with patients relocating to the new facility later that year. The development represented one of the largest investments in mental health infrastructure in Saskatchewan's history to date and replaced outdated hospital buildings and two correctional facilities. More than 1,500 jobs were generated during construction.
The facility features 188 psychiatric rehabilitation beds and a 96-bed secure unit for offenders living with mental health conditions. Private rooms, large care spaces and extensive natural light contribute to a therapeutic environment that departs from the institutional character of the former hospital.
The 35,000 sq. metre building incorporates design strategies to support efficient care delivery, safe circulation and access to varied treatment settings. Specialized program areas accommodate both short- and long-term rehabilitation, forensic services, respite care, outpatient assessment and a range of psychosocial therapies.
Three community reintegration units stand adjacent to the main hospital. These smaller residential buildings offer transitional accommodation for former patients who require support as they prepare to return to community living. Each unit offers a home-like setting with full amenities, allowing residents to develop daily living skills in a structured environment. The site’s design also emphasizes connection to the natural landscape along the North Saskatchewan River.
In 2019, the government announced the hospital's modular roofing panels would need to be replaced because of shrinking caused by the spring melt. Since the project was covered by a 30-year P3 agreement, Health Minister Jim Reiter told reporters the P3 model would protect taxpayers from the cost of the roof replacement.
"There's no financial risk to the government. I think using the model that we did clearly paid off," Reiter said.
The project was also impacted by the liquidation of Carillion PLC in early 2018. As a result, AtkinsRéalis was selected by the private consortium to take on the maintenace portion of the P3 agreement for the hospital.
Partners:
Public: Government of Saskatchewan (SaskBuilds)
Private: Access Prairies Partnership (Graham Design Builders LP, Carillion Canada Inc., Gracorp Capital Advisors LP, Carillion Private Finance Ltd., Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd., WSP Canada, AtkinsRealis (SNC-Lavalin))
