Once the construction is complete in 2027, the project will transition to conventional financings supported by the building lease revenue.
The Maskwa Medical Centre will be built next to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital to improve specialist care, reduce visitors to GPRH’s emergency department, and expand the family physician residency training program.
You can read the board’s full statement below:
As municipal councils move forward with bylaws related to the Maskwa Medical Center, the Maskwa Board of Directors is providing clear information to residents to address common questions and misconceptions.
Maskwa Medical Center is a registered non-profit charity building a new medical facility adjacent to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital to improve access to specialist care, reduce visitors to the GPRH emergency department and expand the University of Alberta family physician residency training program in Northwestern Alberta.
Maskwa is not a private facility.
Maskwa will not charge patient user fees.
What Is Being Requested from Municipalities
Maskwa is requesting that municipalities provide guarantees to secure the construction loan.
This is often misunderstood.
This is NOT a cash contribution
This is NOT a loan
Each municipality’s participation is:
Proportional — each municipality participates in ¼ of the obligation
Reduced over time as the loan is reduced by additional capital being secured through provincial contributions and on-going donor and fundraising campaigns
Once construction is complete in 2027, the project transitions to conventional financing supported by the building lease revenue.
A Self-Sustaining Facility — Not a Cost Burden
Maskwa Medical Center is designed to be financially self-sustaining from day one of operations.
Ongoing operations are supported through:
Long-term clinical leases
Commercial and ancillary tenant leases within the building
This ensures:
No ongoing reliance on municipal funding for operations of the building
No future cash calls to municipalities for operations of the building
A stable, long-term healthcare asset for the region
Why This Matters: The Real Cost to Residents Today
Today, residents of Northwestern Alberta are already paying a significant price to access specialist care.
Data from Alberta Health shows:
Over 2,000 patients per year travel from the northwest to Edmonton for internal medicine specialist care.
These trips cost more than $5.7 million annually to patients and caregivers
These are out-of-pocket costs borne directly by residents, including:
Travel and vehicle expenses
Accommodation and meals
Lost income and time away from family
Maskwa is designed to reduce this burden by bringing care closer to home.
Improving Access, Outcomes, and System Efficiency Maskwa Medical Center will deliver:
A Specialist Clinic providing coordinated, team-based diagnosis and treatment planning
A University of Alberta Teaching Clinic to train and retain physicians locally
On-site services such as pharmacy, daycare, and other supports that improve accessibility
By enabling earlier diagnosis and timely, coordinated treatment, Maskwa will:
Improve long-term health outcomes
Reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments
Contribute to lowering overall healthcare system costs over time
Built to Stand on Its Own
The project has been structured to ensure long-term independence and stability.
The building will generate revenue through leases to support operations
Financing partners recognize the strength of the underlying business case
Municipalities are not expected to operate or manage the facility at any point
Addressing a Key Question: Why Municipal Involvement?
Municipal participation reflects the reality that local residents are the direct beneficiaries of improved healthcare access.
Maskwa, as a not-for-profit organization, does not have existing assets to pledge as security during construction.
The requested municipal guarantee bridges this gap — enabling a critical regional healthcare project to move forward.
A Community-Led Solution
Maskwa Medical Center represents a collaborative effort by:
Municipal leaders
Community donors
Local businesses
Healthcare partners
It is a practical, community-driven solution to a long-standing gap in regional healthcare access.
Statement from the Maskwa Board of Directors
“Maskwa Medical Center is about improving access to care for our region — not creating barriers. This is a non-profit, community-led solution designed to serve residents, reduce costs, and strengthen healthcare access for decades to come.”
Closing
Maskwa Medical Center is a non-profit, self-sustaining healthcare initiative that:
Does not charge patients
Directly addresses a critical regional healthcare gap
To learn more about Maskwa Medical Center, including project details, governance, and funding structure, please visit: http://www.maskwamedical.ca/
For questions and additional comments please contact:
Ken Drysdale, Chairman at 780-831-0796
Charles Longmate, President at 780-831-8103