Community signatures become permanent part of future regional healthcare campus

The Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA), together with project partners, and invited guests, celebrated a major construction milestone today with a beam signing ceremony for the future regional healthcare campus in Moosonee.

During the ceremony, guests added their signatures to one of the final structural beams before it is lifted into place. The signatures will become a permanent part of the new hospital, representing the people, communities, and partnerships that have helped make the WAHA Redevelopment Project possible.

In the weeks leading up to the ceremony, vinyl strips travelled to communities across the region, giving people the opportunity to add their names, messages, and well wishes. The strips were then returned to Moosonee and wrapped around the beam so those signatures could be included in today’s celebration and become part of the future healthcare campus.

Today’s ceremony recognized the skilled tradespeople, contractors, and project teams whose work continues to move construction forward safely. It also recognized the communities WAHA serves, the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada, Infrastructure Ontario, Pomerleau and many other partners whose years of collaboration are helping bring more healthcare services closer to home.

“Every signature on this beam represents a person, a family and a community that has been part of this journey. When the beam is lifted into place, those signatures will become part of the new hospital and a lasting reminder that these new healthcare facilities are being built with our communities, for our communities,” said Lynne Innes, President and CEO, Weeneebayko Area Health Authority.

Designed with input from Cree communities across the region and the Town of Moosonee, the new facilities will provide modern, culturally welcoming spaces for patients, families and staff and create opportunities to provide more healthcare services closer to home.

Construction continues to move forward

The WAHA Redevelopment Project is the largest healthcare infrastructure project ever undertaken in the western James Bay and Hudson Bay region.

The project includes:

• a new 36-bed regional hospital in Moosonee;
• a 32-bed Long-Term Elder Care Lodge;
• staff accommodations;
• a patient and visitor hostel; and
• a new ambulatory care centre on Moose Factory Island.

Currently, construction activities are moving ahead on the structural components of the campus and the exterior sections of the future hospital.

When complete, the new facilities will provide the space needed to expand healthcare services in the region, helping more patients and families receive care closer to home.

Members of the public are welcome to sign the virtual beam and add their well-wishes for the future of the WAHA Redevelopment Project as it moves nearer to completion.

Quotes

“Our government is proud to be investing nearly $1.3 billion to support the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority’s new regional healthcare campus in Moosonee. Today’s milestone brings us a step closer to delivering a new state-of-the-art hospital, a 32-bed Elder Care Lodge, and an ambulatory care centre on Moose Factory Island, to better serve patients across the western James Bay and Hudson Bay region, for generations to come.”

The Hon. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

“Today’s beam signing ceremony marks an important milestone for the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority Redevelopment Project and reflects the strong partnerships that have helped bring this transformative project to life. Through our government’s historic $236 billion capital plan to build and protect Ontario, we are investing in modern health care infrastructure that will help connect people and families in the western James Bay and Hudson Bay region to the care they need, closer to home. This project is creating good-paying jobs, supporting local economic activity, and helping build stronger, healthier communities for generations to come.” 

The Hon. Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure

“The signatures on this beam are a lasting reminder that this project has been shaped by the people it will serve. Built through partnership and guided by local priorities, this new healthcare campus represents an important step forward in reconciliation and in supporting Indigenous communities with culturally responsive care close to home.”

The Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation

“Congratulations to the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority and all our project partners on reaching this important milestone. This is one of the largest health infrastructure projects ever in Northern Ontario, and bringing a project of this scale and complexity to life requires strong partnerships, shared commitment, and true collaboration at every stage. Infrastructure Ontario is proud to be part of this important project and remains committed to delivering a truly unique and transformative health campus for Northern Ontario.”

Angela Clayton, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the leadership, collaboration, and expertise that have guided this project from the beginning. It reflects the collective efforts of WAHA and all our project partners working together towards a shared vision for the future of healthcare across the western James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts. It is an honour for Pomerleau to lead construction on a project of this significance and work alongside so many dedicated partners in helping bring that vision to life.” 

Martin Jacques, Chief Operating Officer – Buildings, Pomerleau