Clark Builders takes over troubled hospital project

Clark Builders will take over as the new construction manager for the $763-million Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, the provincial government announced Friday.

A dispute with the previous contractor, Graham Construction, led to the province issuing a notice of default, all work on the site being suspended and the Calgary-based construction firm saying it would pursue a claim for damages.

In the meantime, residents of the northwest Alberta hub have been waiting for work on the longawaited new hospital to resume.

“Clark Builders provided an excellent submission to our (request for proposals) and has a proven record in completing complex health-care facilities,” the province said in a statement. “Clark Builders has just successfully completed work on the Stanton Territorial Hospital renewal project in Yellowknife.”

The province estimated initial work will start soon, with construction activity ramping up in January with 300 to 400 tradespeople on-site.

“We are taking this phased-in approach to allow the new construction manager time to mobilize the site and to finalize agreements with the sub-trades,” the statement said.

According to the province, the new construction management fees are within the current capital budget of $763 million.

The province also addressed if the same tradespeople previously working on the project will be onsite once construction resumes.

“Our intent is to work with the new construction manager to provide opportunity for existing trades to determine if they want to bid on a new contract,” the province said.

“If other trades are required we welcome local vendors, suppliers, and sub-contractors to submit bids for those aspects of the work.”

The new project construction schedule is expected to be finalized within the next few months.

The original contract for the hospital dates back to 2011. It was signed under the former Progressive Conservative government, with completion slated for 2015. The price has increased over the last several years to $763 million from $319 million.