Maskwa Medical Center Update
Ken Drysdale and Brent Hoyseth were present at the August 12, 2025 Council Meeting, to provide an update on the Maskwa Medical Center project.
Saddle Hills County has committed $3,500,000 in funding to the project, included in the 2025 Final Capital Budget.
Once complete, the facility will include an Academic Teaching Clinic, retail space, and medical specialist clinic that aims to provide treatment plans within 10 days of referrals. In addition, the 22,000 sq. ft. teaching space will train 20 resident physicians onsite, graduating 10 per year, thanks to a partnership with the University of Alberta's Faculty of Family Medicine.
Project Progress
The design of the center is now complete and the 60-year land agreement with Northwestern Polytechnic has been finalized. A long-term tenant agreement with the University of Alberta is still in progress.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Center was held on May 20, at which Reeve Kristen Smith and members of Council were present, and construction commenced in June 2025. Building is being completed by contractors, Clark Builders, using 70% local trades, with a contract total of $35.7 million.
Capital fundraising has raised in excess of $16 million, to date, with $175,250 of this in private donations. A proposal for provincial funding has also been submitted, with a decision still pending.
Indigenous consultations and discussions surrounding facility tenants are ongoing.
Fourth Flood Addition
Discussions around a fourth floor addition to the project are ongoing, as the need for a Physiotherapy Clinic for Neurorehabilitation and Pediatric Services has been identified.
Currently, there are no clinics in the area focused on neurorehabilitation in physiotherapy for those with conditions involving the brain or nervous system, or complex developmental issues that offer the necessary treatment intensity. This includes conditions such as traumatic spinal cord and brain injuries, brain tumours, strokes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral palsy. The closest clinic currently offering this specific type of care is in Calgary, with Edmonton offering something similar.
This absence means that there is inadequate support for those needing customized neurorehabilitation in our region. Local wait times are excessively long, forcing families to travel and find alternative accommodations, often for many weeks.
Creating this kind of specialized clinic would enhance recovery outcomes and provide critical therapies for patient advancement. Offering these services nearby would not only be beneficial for patients but also greatly benefit families and the community as a whole.
Proposed University of Alberta Rehabilitation Medicine Satellite Site
There is also a proposal for a new University of Alberta Rehabilitation Medicine Satellite Site, to be included as part of the project.
A new satellite site would aim to provide more accessible education and training opportunities for students in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy programs in Grande Prairie.
The site would also enhance local healthcare services by producing skilled graduates equipped to meet the community's and regional needs. It is anticipated that this initiative would have a positive impact on the local community and the entire region, by increasing the availability of trained healthcare professionals. The Therapy Clinic, along with the proposed fourth floor, would be optimal to support this type of satellite program.
At this time, the availability of funding or other forms of financial support for this addition are uncertain, and it would require a commitment from the Government of Alberta's Department of Advanced Education.
To learn more about the future facility and stay updated on the project, visit maskwamedical.ca
Contact Us
Saddle Hills
Junction of Hwy 49 & Secondary Hwy 725
RR1, Spirit River AB
T0H 3G0
T. 780-864-3760
Fax 780-864-3904
Toll-free 1-888-864-3760
frontdesk@saddlehills.ab.ca
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