Alberta government announces modern health centre to replace Cardston hospital

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According to provincial officials, the current Cardston Health Centre, built in 1959, is one of the oldest facilities in the province and no longer meets modern safety, accessibility and infection control standards. The government says the new centre will address these deficiencies while expanding inpatient capacity from 19 to 24 beds, including labour and delivery–postpartum, isolation, and bariatric rooms, as well as up to 11 emergency treatment spaces.

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“A strong and resilient health care system means building modern health care infrastructure across the province, including in rural Alberta,” explains Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure. “The Cardston replacement hospital will provide better emergency care, improved patient outcomes, and better access to high-quality care in the rural communities of southern Alberta.”

“The new health centre in Cardston will strengthen health care across the Cardston-Kainai region and southern Alberta, ensuring rural residents have reliable access to high-quality care, closer to home,” notes Justin Wright, parliamentary secretary for rural health (South).

According to the government, the Cardston–Kainai area serves more than 16,000 residents and supports about 500,000 annual visitors to the Waterton National Park area. Provincial officials say it is home to diverse communities with unique and complex health needs.

The province says the Blood Tribe Department of Health has been invited to collaborate in the functional programming process for the Cardston Health Centre to help inform planning and ensure the facility meets the needs of the community. It’s hoped the collaboration will support culturally safe health care planning and ensure Blood Tribe health priorities are understood and considered in the facility design.

“A new hospital is a major investment to the community and perhaps the largest Cardston has ever seen,” suggests Joseph Schow, MLA for Cardston-Siksika. “With support from local health professionals, leaders and surrounding communities, I could not be more excited to see this project move ahead. I look forward to getting shovels in the ground and seeing progress on this facility in the years ahead.”

“The new Cardston Health Centre is an extremely important site for the community, and will reflect the diverse population and cultural richness of the region,” shares Andre Tremblay, interim president and CEO of Alberta Health Services.

“The Town of Cardston sincerely thanks the provincial government for supporting a new hospital,” exclaims Paula Brown, mayor, Town of Cardston. “This vital investment brings improved care, strengthens our community and ensures residents in Cardston and surrounding areas have access to the health care they deserve.”

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNZFdMUbais

Alberta government quick facts

• Budget 2026’s Capital Plan includes $4.9 billion for health infrastructure to build a health care system that supports the growing needs of rural and urban communities.
• The new Cardston Health Centre is estimated to cost a total of $474 million.