Dauphin's hospital is getting a new emergency room, with the province today announcing a construction contract has been awarded.
The $23 million project will redevelop and expand the emergency department at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
The new ER was one of many capital projects the new provincial government was reviewing. Dauphin Mayor Eric Irwin says this was a commitment made by the previous government around the 2011 election, and the city welcomes this conclusion.
"I'm very pleased that the new provincial government did the review and came to the decision that the last government made, which was that if you're going to fold most of the emergency services for the Parkland into the Dauphin Regional Health Centre then you're going to have to redo the emergency room."
Dauphin MLA Brad Michaleski also feels the announcement is a great investment towards the community.
"I had a chance to review that project and had a tour of the facility, and it was a much needed project... it's just good news that it's moving forward, and it will improve the emergency service of the regional centre for everyone for quite sometime."
Attending Physician at the hospital Scott Kish believes this project will be worth the wait.
"I think we recognize that, during the transition period, there's going to have to be a lot of patience by staff and patients alike. It's going to be very different and cramped during that process, but once the finished product is available, I think it will be certainly helpful."
The province says the first phase of the project will be the creation of a temporary ER on the main floor of the building.
The second phase will be to renovate and expand the original location to include an enclosed ambulance garage, a resuscitation and trauma room, support space, and more.
Construction is expected to begin this spring.
