Clark Builders wants to get the job done. It was confirmed Friday that the company is the new construction manager of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, and Marketing & Communications Manager Christine Holmes says they’re up for the challenge.
“We’ve got a history of going to places where not a lot of firms will go. It’s not daunting to us to take on a tough project or a big project, regardless of the location, and this one’s not that bad.”
When the contract for the new hospital was originally signed in 2011, it was expected that construction would be done in 2015. Holmes says their team has been following the new hospital’s development and feels it’s unfortunate that the pace of construction has lagged.
“All we want to do is make sure that Grande Prairie gets the health care centre that they need and deserve.”
Work stopped altogether on September 10th, and while the exterior of the building is done, the interior is only 75 per cent complete. Clark’s intention is to get on site as soon as possible, but it’s expected full construction won’t start up again until January 2019.
“We see ourselves as a community builder because we believe that the projects that we take on that we feel the most passionate about deliver the most to the community. It is heartbreaking for Grande Prairie and for the province as a whole to see what’s happened but all we can do is move forward and rectify this.”
A new construction schedule is expected to be finalized in the next few months, and until then there will be no word on a projected opening date. Before construction stopped, the last word was that would be in 2020. The budget is $763 million and Holmes doesn’t expect any major changes.
Clark Builders recently finished the Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal project in Yellowknife, and has also worked on projects like new schools, Points West Living, and some commercial development in Grande Prairie. Holmes says the company can also rely on its partner Turner Construction Company for expertise, as it is one of the biggest construction management companies in North America.