The Alberta government is committing $2 million to plan an expansion of the Alberta Children’s Hospital, including a larger inpatient tower, with the funding matched by the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.
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The money will support planning for an expanded inpatient tower and a new Centre for Research and Innovative Care, aimed at increasing capacity and strengthening pediatric care in Calgary and across the province.
Health officials say the expansion would add 40 acute care beds and 10 inpatient mental health beds, boosting overall capacity by about 32 per cent. The hospital currently has 141 inpatient acute care beds and 12 inpatient mental health beds.
“Expanding Alberta Children’s Hospital ensures Alberta children have access to the care they need, improves outcomes and supports healthier, brighter futures for families across the province,” said hospital and surgical health services minister Matt Jones in a statement.
Advanced education minister Myles McDougall said the planned research centre would help attract top talent and support training for future specialists.
“This initiative will make Alberta a destination point for even more world-leading researchers and create a robust training and career pipeline hub for the next generation of child health scientists, specialists and innovators,” he said.
The new Centre for Research and Innovative Care is intended to integrate research with clinical care, advance precision medicine and create more family-friendly spaces within the hospital. Officials say the goal is to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes.
Mental health and addiction minister Rick Wilson said the additional mental health beds will help address growing demand for services for young people.
“Our children are our future and their mental health is a priority for our government,” said Wilson. “The collaborative work and investment into the Alberta Children’s Hospital strengthens and streamlines care for young people facing mental-health challenges.”
Planning for the inpatient tower expansion is already underway, with the business and functional planning phase launched in September 2025. The research centre will be developed in partnership with Alberta Health Services, the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the University of Calgary and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Infrastructure minister Martin Long said the project is part of a broader effort to modernize health facilities to meet the needs of a growing population.
“Investing in modern, purpose-built health infrastructure is essential to meeting the needs of Alberta’s growing youth population,” said Long.
Saifa Koonar, president and CEO of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, said the projects build on a long-term vision supported by the community.
“The centre will unite clinicians and researchers, saving and improving more children’s lives through innovation,” Koonar said.
The province says the investment underscores its commitment to pediatric health care and ensuring children have access to specialized services as demand continues to grow.
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