Construction of the new Portage Regional Health Centre is now complete, marking a major milestone in the delivery of modern health care services for Portage la Prairie and the surrounding region.

With the building phase finished, work is now focused on the installation of medical equipment, digital systems and comprehensive training for clinical and operational staff to ensure a smooth transition into the new facility. These final preparations will support safe, efficient, and patient-centred care leading to the official opening in the fall of 2026.

The new two-story Portage Regional Health Centre spans approximately 275,000² feet and has been designed to meet the evolving health care needs of the community. The facility includes 114 acute care patient beds and will provide a full range of services, including medical care, palliative care, rehabilitation, family birthing, surgical services and special care.

Over the past two and a half years, the project has represented a significant investment of time, skill and collaboration.

More than 1.49 million worker hours were dedicated to construction – the equivalent to over 170 years of combined effort.

Crews poured 10,500 cubic metres of concrete, enough to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools and installed 1,700 tons of structural steel, roughly the weight of 1,200 cars.

The scale of the build is reflected in the finer details as well.

The health centre’s exterior features 238 punch windows, while inside, 951 doors were installed using more than 10,000 pieces of hardware.

Construction included 35,000 lineal feet of interior walls and 1.4 million square feet of drywall – enough to cover 32 acres or stretch 66 miles if standard 4×8 sheets were laid end-to-end. In addition, 190,000² feet of ceiling grid was installed throughout the facility.

Once fully operational, the new Portage Regional Health Centre will provide a modern, welcoming environment for patients, families and staff, and will play a critical role in strengthening health care services for the region for decades to come.

Portage Regional Health Centre

Construction of the new Community Services Building (CSB), inpatient unit and energy centre is well underway at Boundary Trails Health Centre. Renovation planning of the existing health centre is now in progress.

Key highlights of the construction progress include:

• Foundation: concrete foundations and crawlspace slabs are now complete.
• Structural Steel and Metal Deck: all structural steel and metal deck installations are complete, including the front canopy for the CSB and hospital connections for both the inpatient unit and CSB.
• Exterior Work: exterior walls and glazing are actively progressing, and the buildings are now fully water-tight.
• Interior Work: Interior stud walls are advancing across all areas, with boarding now beginning in most sections.
• Flooring and Finishes: sheet vinyl flooring has been installed in half of the inpatient unit with installation now underway in the CSB. Interior finishing will continue as rough-ins and drywall progress throughout the building.
• Patient Rooms: installation of patient room headwalls is complete.
• Mechanical Systems: the delivery of major handlers and mechanical equipment is ongoing, and new generators have been installed in the energy centre.
• Renovation Planning: planning for the renovation phase is underway, with schematic design now in progress.

The construction and implementation teams continue to make strides to ensure all aspects of the project remain on track.

Southwest view: concept vs January 2025 progress

Inpatient Unit: concept vs January 2025 progress

Centre for Hope: concept vs January 2025 progress

Inpatient Room: January 2025 progress

Construction of the new Portage Regional Health Centre is hitting significant milestones and seeing peak activity with an average of 400-450 workers are on-site each day. The project has officially surpassed an impressive 1,000,000 labor worker hours, pushing the project forward as we see the completion of many exterior components and significant progress on interior installations.

Key highlights of the construction progress include:

• Concrete Foundations and Structural Steel: 100% of the concrete foundations and crawlspace slabs are now complete. Additionally, the structural steel framework and metal deck, including the front canopy, are fully installed, ensuring the building’s structural integrity is secured.
• Exterior Work and Building Enclosure: All areas of the building now feature exterior walls and glazing, which has allowed interior work to advance smoothly. The building is officially water-tight, protecting it from the elements as interior construction continues. Exterior masonry and insulation are largely complete, with work moving around to the south side of the building.
• Interior Progress: Interior stud walls are advancing in all areas, and boarding has begun in most spaces. The installation of sheet vinyl and terrazzo flooring is underway in select areas, marking a significant step forward in interior finishes. Medical units, including the Operating Rooms and Medical Device Rooms have begun receiving their initial interior finishes as rough-in work and drywall installation progress.
• Mechanical and Electrical Systems: The delivery and installation of major mechanical systems are on track. Air handlers and other critical equipment have been delivered, with all major units now installed in the penthouse and outbuilding. Elevator installation is complete. Generators have also arrived on-site and are being set up in the outbuilding, with installation and hookups expected to begin early this year.
• Signage and Window Coverings: Tender for both interior and exterior signage and window coverings has been completed, ensuring that the building will be properly outfitted with the necessary finishing touches.
• Site Work: grading and landscaping will be completed in the spring/summer of 2025.

Completion of the building is on track for early 2026. The project focus will then shift to installing equipment and furniture and staff training and orientation prior to opening day.

Northeast view: concept vs January 2025 progress

Southeast view: concept vs January 2025 progress