2025 Gala Magazine

Niagara Health is actively working with community members in Fort Erie and Port Colborne to determine the best mix of services and new ways to provide care to ensure they are meeting the needs of residents.

Hospitals will provide services for those who need a higher level of care. In contrast, services provided in community settings will bring care closer to home for residents whose needs do not require hospital stays. Niagara Health’s proposal includes redefining how healthcare looks in the region through community partnerships and enhanced services closer to home and, in some cases, in the home.

During a hospital campaign, the community is responsible for 10 percent of the eligible construction costs of a new build and 100 percent of the costs associated with purchasing new and replacement furniture, fixtures, and equipment.The Niagara Health Foundation initially committed $40 million to support the local share of funding for the South Niagara Hospital. However, after surpassing that goal early in the campaign, the Foundation increased its target to $100 million.

By participating in the Foundation’s efforts, such as supporting our annual hospital gala, you are improving patient care in Niagara.

Spanning approximately 1.3 million square feet, this state-of-the-art facility will enhance access to high-quality care while driving the region’s economic growth and job creation. As a designated Centre of Excellence specializing in complex care, wellness in aging, and stroke treatment, the hospital will improve patient outcomes and position Niagara as a leader in healthcare innovation.

This investment will strengthen local healthcare infrastructure and attract top medical professionals, benefiting residents for generations to come.

In September 2024, Niagara Health announced that the South Niagara Hospital Project achieved WELL Precertification, bringing the project closer to being WELL Certified after the building opens in 2028. It is also on track to be the first WELL Certified hospital in Canada. WELL-Precertification is a significant achievement, recognizing that the hospital project prioritizes the health and well-being of the people using the building.

What is WELL® Certification?

• Scientifically developed and independently verified tool to help design buildings and measure/monitor their impact on the health and well-being of the occupants
• WELL® certification is recognized worldwide and throughout the architectural/building communities
• We are working towards being the first hospital in Canada to become WELL® certified.
• Holistic, focusing on behaviour, operations, design and people
• Features in each concept aim to improve building design, operations and the overall impact on the occupant’s specific body systems: Cardiovascular, Digestive, Endocrine, Immune, Muscular, Respiratory, etc.
• Promotes health and well-being for all occupants
• Based on 10 concepts: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community

Since March 2020, we have undergone significant consultation and engagement with staff, physicians, patients and community partners to design the new South Niagara Hospital at the corner of Montrose and Biggar roads in Niagara Falls. There are over 15,000 pages of criteria detailing the site and building design, operational, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and facilities management requirements, along with technical specifications for the new hospital. That’s over 15,000 pages of planning and design documents based on direct input provided.

With the challenges of new and emerging infectious diseases, as well as higher public expectations and awareness of healthcare-related issues, Niagara Health is leveraging the lessons learned and applying them to the development of the new hospital.

Niagara Health is well positioned and working to ensure they capture the information needed to build a facility that delivers the highest quality of care for patients and reflects the needs of the Niagara community.