INNISFAIL – After several years of complaints, frustration and even “shock” the province is finally moving on fixing the undersized ambulance bay door at Innisfail Health Centre.
During an interview with the Albertan on Aug. 7, Devin Dreeshen, MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, said he was “frustrated” with the lack of progress his own UCP government was making on addressing the ambulance bay door issue that was promised an investment of at least $2 million during a news conference on June 21, 2024.
“It's now been seven years of advocating for that (ambulance) door,” said Dreeshen. “It’s frustrating to see that we have approval on paper for it to actually proceed, but we haven't seen any tenders going out to actually construct and build.”
However, new information came to light last week that progress was being made.
Town of Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay, who has also strongly advocated for action, told council at its regular meeting on Aug. 18 there had been “meaningful progress” with the ambulance door issue and that there would be a “full rebuild.”
Following her remarks the Albertan reached out to provincial government sources, and received detailed information from Kristi Bland, a lead spokesperson with Alberta Health Services.
“Construction pre-planning has begun, and we anticipate finalizing a construction start date before the end of the month,” said Bland in an email response.
Bland said two design options are being reviewed with stakeholders, and the design-build contractor has been “procured” for the project to determine the preferred final design.
“This review will include thorough examination of space needs for EMS crews and equipment, and how it will interface with the existing hospital structure,” she said. “Design adjustments will be made, if necessary, based on the feedback gathered.
“Once the preferred design option is confirmed, the design team will prepare the construction drawings,” she added. “Following that, tendering will begin for the various sub trades required for the project.”
The severity of the ambulance bay door problem was first reported by the Albertan in the fall of 2022 when health centre auxiliary volunteers appeared before Innisfail's council with an appeal for help on the issue that had long frustrated patients and staff.
“Last winter we had one elderly lady that was dumped in the snow coming off the ambulance, which is not something you'd like to see for your grandmother,” one volunteer told council. “She was ill to begin with. She was in her 90s and it was just a big shock to her.”
The delegation of volunteers was seeking a donation to help cover the $45,000 cost to widen the hospital’s ambulance door and to end future “shock” to others.
However, the cost has skyrocketed, doubling from the $2 million figure mentioned at the news conference in 2024.
“I'm finally thrilled to see the Innisfail ambulance bay door finally become a reality, and the $4.18 million that's being committed to build the ambulance bay door so that ambulances can fit in the ambulance bay door has been a long time coming,” Dreeshen told the Albertan on Aug. 22.
The MLA and cabinet minister said it’s his understanding a “fully operational” ambulance bay door will be built and completed by next summer.
“I didn't really have expectations that it would move quickly, just because of the complexity of it, but I'm glad to hear that it is progressing,” said Barclay. “I also appreciate the support minister Dreeshen has put towards this project and continuing to ensure that things are moving forward.”
