Mass timber arrives for first of its kind build at County’s hospital

Administrator | Jun 28, 2025 | Comments 0

Construction on the new hospital reached a milestone this week as North America’s first mass timber hospital became one step closer to reality.

The arrival of the mass timber materials to the construction site was marked by a celebration with local and provincial partners, including Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp, Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson, representatives from Infrastructure Ontario (IO), HDR Inc., M. Sullivan & Son Limited, PECMH Foundation, PECMH Auxiliary, Prince Edward Family Health Team, and Quinte Health.

The mass timber being used is a Canadian-sourced renewable resource manufactured in northern Quebec. The hospital’s structure will feature mass timber beams, columns, and cross-laminated timber slabs—a design choice to reduces the building’s carbon footprint by sequestering carbon naturally. The approach supports PECMH’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

“To ensure both safety and aesthetic appeal, the structure incorporates fire-resistant mass timber, combining strength with a warm, natural look,” states Nicole Corcoran, Communications Specialist with Quinte Health. “Beyond sustainability, mass timber also creates a soothing, natural environment that promotes healing.

With construction now well underway, the community can expect major visible progress in the coming weeks and months—including the rising timber frame and the installation of a new helipad.

“As the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital takes shape, it stands as a testament to what’s possible when a community and its healthcare partners come together—with care, vision and heart,” adds Corcoran.

This milestone is a shared achievement among the many partners making it possible, including the PECMH Foundation’s “Back the Build” campaign, PECMH Auxiliary, the Prince Edward Family Health Team, The County of Prince Edward, M. Sullivan & Son Limited, Ministry of Health, IO, the Government of Ontario and Quinte Health.