A slight delay will keep the Northern Health Region’s (NHR) expansion to the Flin Flon emergency room closed to the public until this summer.
According to NHR communications coordinator Twyla Storey, the NHR is looking at commissioning for the project to start in March, with staff being able to move into the facility in May and a public opening for early summer.
Storey said that some matters of the construction project, including electrical work, mechanical work, flooring, outside site work and commissioning still need to be completed.
“Everything is going well with the project to date,” said Storey.
In September 2017, The Reminder reported that health region staff could begin moving into the building by the end of March 2018.
The project has not gone completely without issue – last fall, concerns were found with the bedrock in one portion of the project.
“There has been an issue with the bedrock quality under the North Ambulance Bay Ramp which has dictated a structural redesign,” said Storey, who added, “Costs are being reviewed.”
The overall cost for the ER expansion has been pegged at around $25.2 million. Due to the precautions taken due to the bedrock concerns, it is likely the price of the project will increase past that number.
Around 25 workers are now on-site working directly with the project’s general contractor, Winnipeg-based Fresh Projects. Several other subcontractors, including locally-based companies, are also working at the site.
More money will need to be raised to offset costs for the project.
“There is currently still approximately $620,000 to raise,” said Storey.
The number represents an increase from September, when Storey told The Reminder that $605,000 would need to be raised.