The Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) Redevelopment Project, a transformative $1.8-billion healthcare campus for the western James Bay and Hudson Bay regions, has reached financial close.

The project includes an acute care hospital, a larger 24-hour emergency department, a new 32-bed Elder Care Lodge, modern state-of-the-art patient rooms, expanded mental health and addictions programming space, staff residences, a hostel for patients and visitors, and a future ambulatory health clinic.

The entire orientation of the hospital building on the site aligns with the cardinal directions of the Cree Medicine Wheel. The hospital’s circular front entry pavilion will face east. The design also reflects the four sacred medicines: tobacco, cedar, sage, and sweetgrass—shaping the overall layout and wayfinding of the building. Inside, a traditional healing space will be a focal point in the lobby, featuring a two-storey centrepiece with clerestory windows.

The redevelopment project is being delivered using the Progressive Public-Private Partnership (P3) Design Build Finance (DBF) model, which relies on a high level of collaboration between all parties to deliver healthcare and housing facilities that meet all the project requirements and specifications at the lowest possible cost.

Pomerleau Healthcare Partners (PHP) has secured the contract, and Kasian Architecture will design the project. Kasian, in partnership with Bertrand Wheeler Architecture Inc., was selected by Pomerleau Construction to plan and design the new $1.8-billion regional healthcare campus in Moosonee, and a new ambulatory care centre on Moose Factory Island.

The design of the redevelopment project began in December 2022. Site clearing is in progress and the project is targeting a 2030 completion.