Niagara Health targets WELL standard for new facility
Niagara Health hasn’t yet put a shovel into the ground on its South Niagara Project, but the organization declared on February 4 that it intends for the building to become the country’s first healthcare facility to meet the WELL certification standard.
WELL Certification is scientifically developed and an independently verified tool to measure and monitor the impact of a building on the health and well-being of its occupants. The certification counts ten concepts—air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community. Each aims to improve building design, operations and the overall impact on its occupants.
WELL certification is recognized worldwide throughout the architectural and building communities, and certification uses a system similar to LEED—with Silver, Gold and Platinum levels achieved based on a points system.
“While Niagara Health excels at providing well-being programs across all of our sites, we are very proud to take on the endeavor to lead the way in designing Canada’s first healthcare facility that will be built to further advance health and well-being and help our staff, physicians and volunteers work, live, perform and feel their best,” said Dr. Tom Stewart, CEO of Niagara Health. “Thanks to an evolving and growing evidence base, we will know how to design a facility that will fuel our bodies, keep us moving, inspire our best work and facilitate a good night’s sleep.”
Construction of the South Niagara Project is unlikely to begin before 2022. Infrastructure Ontario’s most recent P3 Market Update document lists the facility as being in the pre-procurement phase. Requests for qualification for the project are expected to be issued in the spring of 2021, with RFPs issued later that winter and financial close of the project in the fall of 2022.
"The new hospital represents a significant and important investment in healthcare in Niagara," said Angela Zangari, Interim President of Niagara Health last fall. “With the government’s support, we are one step closer to a new hospital and we look forward to our continued work with the Ministry of Health to plan the next stage."
Niagara Health provides 90 percent of the acute hospital services in the region and as the community ages, increased services associated with older adults will be required. A significant emphasis on senior’s health and wellness was therefore included in the hospital’s submission to government. That submission was prepared with the input of more than 1,000 staff, physicians, patients and members of the community.
The new facility will be located at the corner of Montrose and Lyons Creek roads in Niagara Falls.
“Working toward WELL certification will provide yet another benchmark to ensure we are building a healthier Niagara,” said Zangari.