Expansion Project | Your Questions Answered (FAQ)

Our current inpatient building was constructed in 1930 and no longer meets modern healthcare standards. Demand for rehabilitation and complex care continues to grow as Niagara has one of the oldest populations in Ontario. A new, purpose-built facility will allow us to meet this need with more beds, private rooms, advanced therapy spaces, and a healing environment designed for patients, families, and staff. 

The expansion will nearly triple the size of our current facility and feature: 

• Approximately 190 inpatient beds, with capacity to expand further 
• Mostly private patient rooms, each with its own bathroom 
• Larger therapy gyms and specialized clinical therapy areas 
• Family and visitor spaces that support connection and healing 
• Sustainable, patient-centred design with natural light and views of the Niagara Escarpment 

The new inpatient building will be constructed on Hotel Dieu Shaver’s existing property at 541 Glenridge Avenue in St. Catharines. 

We are currently in the Functional Program stage of planning, which defines the services and space requirements for the new hospital. Once this stage is complete and approved by the Ministry of Health, the next stages of design and construction will follow. Based on current timelines, construction is expected to begin in 2029, with the new hospital opening in the early 2030s. 

Hospitals are among the most complex architectural and engineering projects to design and construct. They require complicated mechanical, electrical, and IT systems, and built-in flexibility to adapt to evolving technologies and demands in the future. In addition, hospital designs must meet or exceed CSA standards to ensure safe, accessible, and comfortable care. 
 
Please visit the Project Timeline section of the website for more information.

A detailed cost estimate will be finalized during this planning phase.

The Ontario Ministry of Health will fund the majority of the project. Like all major hospital capital builds in Ontario, Hotel Dieu Shaver is responsible for a “local share” — a community-funded portion of the project that demonstrates local partnership and commitment to the region’s health care. 

The local share typically covers: 

• About 10% of eligible construction costs 
• All costs for equipment, furniture, and technology needed to operate the new hospital 

This represents an investment that will be supported with community generosity and local partnerships. 

Working together with the Hotel Dieu Shaver Foundation and our municipal partners, we’ll be inviting our community to help bring this transformational project to life — ensuring that Niagara residents have access to the care they need, close to home, for generations to come. 

A detailed cost estimate will be finalized during this planning phase.

We’ll be sharing opportunities to get involved as planning progresses – including ways to provide feedback, support fundraising efforts, and follow project milestones. You can also submit your input today through our Feedback Form.

Most patient rooms in the new hospital will be private rooms with individual bathrooms to enhance infection prevention and control practices to improve patient outcomes and recovery. The building design will meet or exceed the most current Infection, Prevention and Control standards.