AHS builds temporary Calgary healthcare facility

CALGARY – Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced that construction was finished on a temporary healthcare facility for COVID-19 patients at the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary.

The 766-square-metre field hospital – called a Sprung Pandemic Response facility – will add capacity to meet increasing demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The facility took less than three weeks to build, and has 67 beds and support space for staff. If necessary, it will accommodate people with confirmed, possible or probable cases of COVID-19.

“Currently, AHS is able to meet patient demands within existing facilities in the Calgary zone due to strong planning and actions taken to build hospital capacity,” said Dr. Verna Yiu (pictured), AHS president and CEO.

Officials are unsure when the structure will be used but said it will be up until October.

Karen Foudy, executive director of the Peter Lougheed Centre, said AHS is being proactive rather than reactive. She said that within 24 hours’ notice, the centre could be up and running with staff and supplies.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro said the project was under budget – coming in at under $2 million instead of the budgeted $3 million – and ahead of schedule.

Shandro said he hopes the province never needs to use the facility.

The temporary building was donated by Alberta company Sprung Structures.

AHS’ other partners include Falkbuilt Technologies, CANA Construction, Botting Mechanical, Acutech Electric, WestJet, Stantec, the Alberta government and the City of Calgary.