The Alberta government announced a significant investment on Monday, January 19, 2026, to plan for a major expansion of the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary. The province is committing $2 million to fund the planning phase for an expanded in-patient tower and a new Centre for Research and Innovative Care.
Details of the Planned Expansion
The planning for the in-patient tower expansion is now officially underway. Once completed, the project is slated to add 40 acute care beds and 10 mental health beds to the facility's current capacity. This represents a substantial 32 per cent increase in capacity, as the hospital currently operates with 141 in-patient acute care beds and 12 in-patient mental health beds.
Infrastructure Minister Martin Long emphasized the importance of the project in a statement. "Investing in modern, purpose-built health infrastructure is essential to meeting the needs of Alberta’s growing youth population," Long said. "These forward-thinking projects will add capacity and optimize space within the existing hospital, allowing Alberta’s doctors and nurses to continue to provide the best care for our children."
Enhancing Care and Research for Alberta's Youth
The Alberta Children's Hospital is a cornerstone of pediatric care in the region, providing services to more than 100,000 children and their families every year. Its emergency department handles over 75,000 visits annually, and surgeons perform more than 10,000 operations at the hospital each year.
Alongside the provincial funding, the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation is contributing an additional $2 million toward planning for the new Centre for Research and Innovative Care. According to a government news release, this centre aims to personalize treatment, advance precision medicine, and seamlessly integrate research with clinical care.
A Long-Term Vision for Pediatric Health
Saifa Koonar, President and CEO of the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, framed the investment as part of a broader strategic vision. "This is part of a long-term strategic vision," Koonar stated. "The community helped build the new hospital, then a child-focused research institute. The centre will unite clinicians and researchers, saving and improving more children’s lives through innovation."
This planning investment marks a crucial first step in addressing the healthcare needs of Alberta's youngest residents and signals a commitment to advancing pediatric medical research within the province. The projects promise to significantly enhance both the physical capacity and the innovative capabilities of one of Alberta's key healthcare institutions.
