Construction of Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan 33% done

There has been enough concrete poured at the site of the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan to pave 20.5 kilometres of highway. The project is 33 per cent done.

Media and dignitaries were invited to the site Friday to see the 354,000 man hours of work already done. For the first time, they were able to tour inside the building, as the major structural concrete is nearly all in place.

For Saskatoon Health Region'svice-president of integrated health services, seeing the maternity area on the third floor was a highlight.

"That single-room maternal care will happen there," Jackie Mann said. "That means mom would come in with her family in a private room, deliver her baby, stay in that room until she's ready to be discharged and then go home."

The project remains on schedule for the building to open late in 2019. The Saskatoon Health Region said the project also remains within its $285.2-million budget.

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After steel is constructed on the fifth level, which is scheduled to start next month, the building will reach its maximum height.

Fundraising gets closer to its goal

As of Friday's update, the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan has raised $54 million of its $75-million goal forequipment, furnishings, and patient and family enhancements for the hospital.

"Saskatchewan is really building this children's hospital for the province through their generosity," said Brynn Boback-Lane, president and CEO of the foundation.