Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) has announced that it has selected EllisDon to act as construction manager to oversee enabling works construction for the newly named Fancsy Family Hospital Project.

Phase one includes the construction of:

• an administration centre with an auditorium, simulation training centre, classrooms, and office space for support staff,
• a multi-level parking garage that will connect into the new facility and provide convenient, covered access to services in the new hospital, and
• essential site infrastructure to support future phases of the hospital build.

The enabling works component of the project is expected to take approximately three years to complete and represents the first visible step in the broader redevelopment effort. The elements will be designed to integrate seamlessly with the main hospital build, ensuring a cohesive and efficient build-out of the hospital campus.

With the selection of a construction manager, WRH says it is on track to have shovels in the ground for this phase of the new state-of-the-art acute care hospital by early 2026, if not sooner.

“This announcement is another exciting and tangible step toward delivering the new state-of-the-art hospital our community has been waiting for,” said Acting President and CEO Karen Riddell. “By selecting EllisDon, we are partnering with a team that has a proven track record in delivering complex healthcare infrastructure. This early work will set the stage for the full build and bring us closer to a facility that will meet the needs of our patients, families, and staff for decades to come.”

EllisDon was selected through a competitive procurement process for enabling works, based on proven experience in delivering large-scale health and infrastructure projects, including the Brampton Civic Hospital, which opened in 2007 and the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, which opened in 2015. In addition, they are currently working on the South Niagara Project as well as the Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital and Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children.

Earlier in the year, WRH selected Diamond Schmitt Architects to lead the planning and design for the enabling works phase. The firm is working closely with hospital staff and key users to design a space that supports collaboration and innovation.

Located adjacent to the main hospital, the Education and Administration Centre will offer easy access for support teams and visitors, while also creating a distinct environment for learning, development, and cross-disciplinary engagement.

WRH says a separate tendering process will be initiated later this year in accordance with Infrastructure Ontario’s latest Market Update to begin major construction on the new hospital.