August 12, 2024 - The new Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook is home to Canada’s largest geothermal system, which has set a precedent for modern infrastructure for both Newfoundland and Labrador and North America. The geothermal field is approximately 600 feet below the hospital’s parking lot and provides 100 per cent of the ground source geothermal heating for the hospital – the largest solution of its kind for a health care facility in North America.
With efficiency and cost-savings at the forefront, this groundbreaking system provides approximately 12 per cent total cost savings over the life span of 30 years. The geothermal system was also key in eliminating cooling towers at the hospital, saving up to two million gallons of water per year.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED®) Silver Certification is issued by the Canada Green Building Council, LEED®, an international symbol of sustainability excellence and green building leadership. LEED® certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project was designed and built, or operated, to achieve high performance in six areas of human and environmental health:
· Location and transportation
· Sustainable site development
· Water savings
· Energy efficiency
· Materials selection
· Indoor environmental quality
The new Western Regional Memorial Hospital was constructed and officially handed over by the Corner Brook Health Partnership (CBHP) to the province in November 2023. NL Health Services is now in operational control of the facility and opened the new hospital to the public earlier this spring.
The Corner Brook Health Partnership is comprised of the following members:
· Developer: Plenary Americas
· Design-builder: PCL/MARCO, A Joint Venture
· Architects: Parkin/B+H, A Joint Venture
· Facilities Management: Johnson Controls Inc.
· Mechanical/Electrical Subcontractors: Cahill Plan Group JV
· Structural Consultant: WSP Canada Group Limited
· LEED Consultant: Footprint
· Geothermal: Geosource Energy
Quotes
“The Western Memorial Regional Hospital’s LEED Silver Certification exemplifies how we are investing in modern, resilient infrastructure to service the Western Region of our province. The facility is home to the largest geothermal heating and cooling system, which marks an innovative approach to design, operation and environmental standards. It is a wonderful example of how we can achieve a state-of-the-art facility that is also environmentally friendly.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Minister of Rural Economic Development
“Western Memorial Regional Hospital is another example of how our government is improving access to health care through modern infrastructure. LEED buildings are designed to be better places to live and work. The new hospital provides a modern health care environment for patients and an innovative working environment for all staff. We look forward to other infrastructure, such as the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre and new urgent care centres, opening in 2025.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Health and Community Services
“As an organization committed to environmental stewardship, NL Health Services is pleased that the new Western Memorial Regional Hospital has received LEED Silver Certification and is leading Canada with its geothermal system. In addition to being patient-focused, it was important for us that the design of the new hospital also incorporate environment sustainability. We appreciate the tremendous efforts of all employees and partners who helped create a space that is not only state-of-the-art and modern for our health-care teams, but also welcoming for patients.”
Teara Freake
Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President, NL Health Services - Western Zone
"On behalf of the Corner Brook Health Partnership team, congratulations to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and the collaborative project team on achieving LEED Certification for the new purpose-built Western Memorial Regional Hospital. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the everyone's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility in design and construction. Thank you to our partners including Plenary Americas, Marco Group Limited, Footprint and our expert team of consultants and trade partners for the passionate effort put towards reaching this milestone. As the first 100% geothermal healthcare facility in North America, the Western Memorial Regional Hospital truly demonstrates that implementing energy efficient measures and sustainability best practices in newly constructed institutional facilities pushes the industry forward in the path to a resilient future."
Marc Pascoli
Senior Vice President and District Manager
PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
“The new Western Memorial Regional Hospital, featuring Canada’s largest geothermal system, goes beyond delivering exceptional design and healthcare for western Newfoundland. It celebrates the beauty of the surrounding landscape, and together with Parkin Architects, PCL and the Corner Brook Health Partnership team, we are proud to have supported the delivery of this much needed healthcare facility.”
Mark Berest
Principal Architect
Parkin/B+H Architects in joint venture