The new South Niagara Hospital project has reached an important milestone on the path to becoming Canada’s first WELL certified hospital. Niagara Health, Infrastructure Ontario, and EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare are excited to announce the hospital project has achieved WELL Precertification through the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI)’s WELL v2 pilot.
WELL Precertification is a significant achievement, recognizing the hospital project is prioritizing the health and wellbeing of the people who will use the building. Achieving WELL Precertification means the project is one step closer to being WELL Certified after the building opens in 2028. It is also on-track to be the first WELL Certified hospital in Canada. 
Recognized worldwide throughout the architectural industry, the WELL Certification program is a scientifically developed and independently verified tool to help design buildings and measure their impact on the health and wellbeing of the occupants. Organized around 10 concepts of building performance — Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community – WELL is a program that details design and operational guidelines specifically focused on improving health and wellness outcomes for the people using the building.
“WELL Precertification is an incredible achievement for the South Niagara Hospital Project, and I am so proud of our Niagara Health team and partners for reaching this milestone. The new hospital was designed to incorporate features that emphasize the health and wellness of the people in the building. This will not only provide a much improved healthcare environment for patients and families, but will also create a much more holistic and supportive workplace for our staff and physicians,” said Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO of Niagara Health.
There are many features of the South Niagara Hospital Project that meet WELL design standards, helping it to achieve WELL Precertification. Improved air and water quality, encouraged walkability within the building, and more nutritional food offerings are some examples, however one of the key WELL features is the emphasis on nature and access to natural daylight that is incorporated in the hospital’s design. Connecting people to nature has been shown to help improve overall health and wellbeing, which made it an obvious priority for inclusion in the hospital planning phase. The South Niagara Hospital will feature 14 gardens and terraces through the building that will bring people closer to nature, as well as many outdoor walking paths and trails around the property. The building is also designed with large windows in lobbies, workspaces and patient rooms, helping occupants to take in natural daylight and have impressive views of nature and the greenery that surrounds the building. Natural imagery will also be incorporated into the wayfinding and artwork strategy to help reinforce the connection to nature. All of these elements help to make the built environment healthier and more enjoyable for everyone who walks through its doors.
WELL building features will also offer a significant benefit to staff and physicians - the people who are working in and using the building every day. WELL benefits go far beyond just design, and also include how the building operates and the organizational culture. Features such as a staff gym and team rooms, walking paths, and ergonomic workstations with height adjustable desks are only a few examples of the many wellness features that will improve the workplace culture and environment. This will be a key tool in helping to improve workplace satisfaction, and will aid in efforts to recruit and retain healthcare professionals.
“WELL principles are backed by years of research and thousands of scientific studies. By participating in the WELL program, we are investing in better outcomes for our patients and a healthier workplace environment for staff. It will help us to recruit and retain healthcare professionals by providing a healthier and more enjoyable environment that people will want to be a part of,” said Guerriero.
WELL is grounded in a body of evidence-based research that explores the connection between the buildings where we spend approximately 90 per cent of our time, and the health and wellness impacts on the people inside these buildings. It sets the standard for health leadership, and has been implemented in more than 40,000 locations across 126 countries. The WELL v2 pilot is the next version of the WELL Building Standard, focused on enhancing people’s health and wellness through the buildings where we live, work and play. Created through seven years of rigorous research and development working with leading physicians, scientists, and industry professionals, the WELL Building Standard is a performance-based certification system that marries best practices in design and construction with evidence-based scientific research.
WELL Precertification is an optional early review that can help projects demonstrate that health and wellbeing are primary concerns that inform the built environment. Upon building completion in 2028, the South Niagara Hospital will apply to become WELL Certified™. At that time, an independent WELL certifier reviews submitted documentation and visits the site to confirm the building meets WELL requirements. Niagara Health will have to recertify the hospital building every three years to ensure that WELL Certification requirements continue to be implement.
“WELL principles are backed by years of research and thousands of scientific studies. By participating in the WELL program, we are investing in better outcomes for our patients and a healthier workplace environment for staff. It will help us to recruit and retain healthcare professionals by providing a healthier and more enjoyable environment that people will want to be a part of."
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“Infrastructure Ontario is incredibly proud of the South Niagara Hospital project team for achieving this important milestone on the path to WELL certification. As IO continues to deliver some of the largest infrastructure projects in the province, we know that our responsibility goes beyond simply getting something built: we are committed to delivering high quality, resilient and efficient assets, while prioritizing the wellbeing of occupants and the community. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone alongside our partners at Niagara Health and EllisDon Infrastructure Health.” Michael Lindsay, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario
“Alongside our partners at Niagara Health and Infrastructure Ontario, EllisDon’s team is proud to play a significant role in reaching this WELL Precertification milestone. Aligning with our own values, achieving WELL Certification is about building an innovative hospital with features that put the health and wellness of occupants first. Additionally, being part of the team working towards Canada’s first WELL Certified hospital is an exciting endeavor which has required immense coordination to ensure that we are taking a people-first approach in every aspect of design and construction. Throughout the next few years, we will continue working diligently to deliver a state-of-the-art hospital capable of serving its community for years to come.” Andrew Anderson, Senior Vice President & Area Manager, Toronto, EllisDon.
The South Niagara Hospital Project recently marked the first year of construction. Watch the milestone video to see the latest updates on the project.
