REGINA — Trucks laden with oversized concrete panels have become a familiar sight on the streets of Regina as the ambitious project to construct the Regina General Hospital (RGH) parkade moves forward. With each passing day, the framework of what will soon be a four-level structure is beginning to take shape.
Once completed, the parkade will offer a total of 1,005 stalls, comprising 873 stalls within the parkade itself and an additional 132 surface stalls. This represents a net increase of 686 parking stalls, a much-needed enhancement for the growing demands of the Regina General Hospital community.
Manufactured offsite and ranging in size, these precast concrete panels, numbering over 500, are the building blocks of the future parkade. Some panels stretch up to an impressive 60 feet in length, a testament to the scale and complexity of the endeavor. Arriving daily, these panels are meticulously unloaded and positioned with the aid of cranes, marking significant milestones in the construction process.
Government funding for the parkade construction has reached $22.4 million to date, with its targeted completion in late 2024.
At a press conference Monday, Health Minister Everett Hindley expressed the government’s satisfaction with the project’s progress, stating, “Our government is pleased to see this project is beginning to take shape.” He emphasized the importance of the completed parkade, not only for its convenience but, more crucially, for the safety it will provide to those accessing the Regina General Hospital facilities.
SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Joe Hargrave spoke about the innovative approach taken in the construction process. “Building the future is more than bricks and mortar,” Minister Hargrave remarked. “It is about weaving innovation into every beam, every panel.” He emphasized the commitment to progressive infrastructure, ensuring a foundation of excellence for generations to come.
The project is being spearheaded by Link Developments, whose spokesman, Carmen Lien, says he’s excited about reaching the midpoint of the construction schedule. Lien assured stakeholders that the project remains on track for completion by December of this year. He also highlighted the benefits of utilizing precast concrete panels, citing the mitigation of seasonal challenges and the reduction of impact on the day-to-day operations of the hospital.
