To meet the growing demand for senior care, work began on the Roger Bacon Long-Term Care Centre in Amherst N.S., in December 2023.SP Dumaresq Architect Ltd.
Imagine a health-care centre that not only heals but also nurtures the environment and communities around it. This is the vision Pomerleau is bringing to life.
It’s not just about building hospitals – it’s about creating spaces that reflect the specific values and priorities of the communities they serve.
Pomerleau, one of the country’s largest construction companies, specializes in managing these complexities, working hand in hand with a multitude of stakeholders to deliver resilient health-care spaces that respond to both current needs and future challenges.
Pomerleau project manager Michel Leblanc says leadership in collaboration is the optimal way to get modern, sustainable and resilient health-care projects built efficiently.
“We fill a need in every part of the country to update our infrastructure for health- and long-term care,” he says. “We’re building local health infrastructures that are answering communities’ needs and will contribute to their well-being.”
GEM Health Care: Building for Canada’s aging population
As the senior population in Canada grows, the demand for long-term care facilities continues to increase. According to the data website Statista, between 2019 and 2031, the demand for long-term spaces will have grown by 60 per cent. Pomerleau has partnered with GEM Health Care Group to develop modern, comfortable spaces for senior care that emphasize both safety and well-being.
In December 2023, work began in Amherst, N.S., to build the Roger Bacon long-term care home, one of 27 facilities approved by the Nova Scotia government to increase the province’s long-term care capacity by adding 2,500 new beds through newly constructed or renovated facilities.
Partnerships with organizations like GEM, a family-owned business, is essential, says Lorin Robar, regional vice-president, Atlantic, at Pomerleau. “We share their vision to build healthy communities by transforming how health care is delivered to seniors.”
Pomerleau incorporated innovative layouts and safety features, ensuring that the facilities are not only functional but feel like home for residents. With modern infrastructure in place, the project also reduces operating costs and environmental impact, meeting both community and sustainability goals.
Pomerleau collaborated with the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) to build a new health-care campus in northern Ontario.Kasian Architecture Ontario Inc./Bertrand Wheeler Architecture Inc.
WAHA: Health care with a cultural focus
In northern Ontario, Pomerleau collaborated with the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) to build a new health-care campus in Moosonee and a new ambulatory care centre in Moose Factory.
Once complete, these modern facilities will provide high-quality, culturally appropriate health care to patients and clients living along Ontario’s James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts.
“Creating health-care facilities that integrate cultural and spiritual needs into the design and function of the hospital is essential,” says Magda Sabat, vice-president of commercial and major projects at Pomerleau. “We designed every aspect of the facility with input from the community, ensuring the spaces align with local traditions and support the health and wellness of residents.”
From traditional healing spaces to consultations with First Nations communities on land use, the project embodies a holistic approach that is deeply rooted in the community’s Indigenous values.
“You have to build trust with the community,” says Sabat. “This development is not just about health-care infrastructure – it’s about capacity-building within the community and helping us foster stronger relations with Indigenous and industry partners.”
In addition to modern medical facilities, the hospital will have spaces dedicated to traditional healing practices and an Elder Care Lodge, as well as new facilities to support preventative-care programs, such as expanded mental health and addictions programming, which are critical in the long-term health strategy for the community.
The Vaudreuil-Soulanges Hospital in Quebec is one of the largest health-care projects in Canada.Lemay Architects/MSDL Architects/JLP Architects
Vaudreuil-Soulanges Hospital: Preparing for community growth
As suburban regions expand, the need for local health-care infrastructure becomes more urgent. Pomerleau’s work on the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Hospital project reflects its expertise in managing large-scale hospital developments while meeting the demands of a growing population.
One of the largest health-care projects in Canada, the $2.6-billion development covers 1.4 million square feet of surface area, using 110,000 cubic metres of concrete and 10,000 tonnes of steel.
Scheduled for completion in August 2027, the project will stimulate the local economy by offering new employment opportunities and attracting investment to the region, says Leblanc. The Quebec government estimates the hospital will deliver some $400-million in economic spinoffs to the area.
For cost effectiveness and faster delivery, Pomerleau deployed a design-build approach. “Designing and building the project took place at more or less the same time, so the hospital can be completed faster than if we had used traditional methods.”
Communicating, collaborating
Working as a team with aligned goals and fostering a culture of transparency among various stakeholders is one of the most important elements in the construction of major health- and long-term care facilities, says Louis-Alexandre Langlois, Pomerleau’s vice-president of pre-construction.
To achieve this, “we implement collaborative tools on digital platforms or in-person regular meetings to facilitate exchanges, as well as clear communication protocols to define roles and responsibilities.”
“It goes beyond just collaborating to get things done – you have to be honest and raise issues that matter and listen to the issues others raise,” he adds. “You don’t have to all agree all the time, but you need to create an atmosphere of open, mutual respect.”
Aligning with sustainability and community impact goals
Pomerleau’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in every health-care project, from energy-efficient designs to innovative building techniques. The company’s efforts align with Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge, ensuring that each project contributes to a more sustainable future.
“Our focus is on creating infrastructure that benefits communities – not just today but for decades to come,” says Langlois. “Whether it’s senior-care facilities, Indigenous health-care centres or urban hospitals, we aim to design spaces that support both well-being and environmental goals.”
Looking ahead: Building the future of health care together
Pomerleau’s collaborative approach and commitment to sustainability have made it a trusted partner in the health-care sector. By working closely from the start with communities, health-care providers, architects, engineers and government institutions, Pomerleau ensures that each project meets local needs while contributing to broader sustainability efforts.
From designing state-of-the-art long-term care facilities to building culturally aligned health-care spaces, Pomerleau’s work reflects a dedication to improving the lives of Canadians. Through its focus on collaboration, innovation and sustainability, it’s not just constructing buildings – it is investing in the future of health care.
“Our health-care centres are a source of pride for the communities they serve,” says Leblanc, “and a source of pride for us as well.”
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio with Pomerleau. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.
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