Listen to this article
Estimated 2 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The long-awaited expansion and renovation of the Peter Lougheed Centre in northeast Calgary has officially wrapped construction.
The refreshed emergency department is expected to be open to patients in late February, according to Alberta’s minister of hospital and surgical health services.
Altogether, the expansion adds space for 97 new patient beds. That includes 28 new emergency department beds, as well as mental health short stay beds, psychiatric ICU beds and minor surgical beds.
The project, which has been in the works since 2021, cost $151 million.
Minister Matt Jones said the expansion was necessary because when the Peter Lougheed Centre emergency department was built in 1988, it was intended to accept up to 40,000 patients a year.
Last year, the department served 83,000 patients.
Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Matt Jones announcing the project completion on Jan. 20, 2026, with Minister of Infrastructure Martin Long behind him. (Zazak Bouarab/Radio-Canada)
“When Albertans walk through these doors, often during some of the most stressful moments of their lives, they deserve care that is timely, reliable, compassionate and high quality. That is exactly what this expansion is designed to support,” said Martin Long, Alberta’s minister of infrastructure.
The executive director of the Peter Lougheed Centre emergency department said the next few weeks will be focused on final preparations to ensure the space is ready for Calgarians once it opens.
“We are also deeply grateful to the patients and families for understanding and by showing [your] patience during this time of transition,” said Lydia Megraw.
The hospital will have space for 159 beds and four training beds once the final stages of the expansion are complete, according to the province.