ST. CATHARINES, ON — Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre is pleased to
announce that it has engaged HDR Architecture Associates Inc. (HDR) as the lead healthcare
and facility planning consultants for the next phase of its planned hospital expansion project —
a major step forward in transforming rehabilitation care across the Niagara region.
HDR, a Canadian-owned and operated architecture firm with offices across the country, has
been awarded the contract to lead the Functional Program stage of planning. This phase will
define the services and space requirements for the hospital’s planned future expansion and will
serve as the foundation for the next stages of planning, design, and construction.
HDR brings decades of experience in Canadian healthcare infrastructure, having partnered with
clients to deliver more than 100 healthcare projects nationally, including:
• The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa
• Whistle Bend Continuing Care, Whitehorse
• Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre, Toronto
• Humber River Hospital, Toronto
HDR will lead a team of Canadian firms including Resource Planning Group Inc. and WSP Global
Inc., who bring additional expertise in health facility planning and engineering.
“This next step brings our long-held vision for expanded rehabilitation services one step closer
to reality,” said Dr. David Ceglie, CEO of Hotel Dieu Shaver. “We are thrilled to be partnering
with a Canadian-led team with deep expertise in designing world-class healthcare facilities that
reflect the needs of our patients, staff, and communities.”
The planned expansion project, backed by a $2.5 million planning grant from the Ontario
government, includes plans to construct a new inpatient building on the hospital’s existing
property. The new build will feature single-patient rooms and support space for clinical
operations.
As Niagara’s only rehabilitation hospital, Hotel Dieu Shaver is a critical provider of healthcare in
the region, treating over 1,100 inpatients and seeing more than 22,000 outpatients each year.
The expansion project responds directly to Niagara’s growing and aging population, ensuring
more timely access to rehabilitation, complex care, and supportive recovery services.
This announcement marks an exciting and essential step forward in bringing the hospital’s
expansion vision to life.
QUOTES
Dr. David Ceglie
CEO, Hotel Dieu Shaver
“We are entering a transformational phase in Hotel Dieu Shaver’s history — one that will shape
the future of rehabilitation in Niagara for generations. Partnering with HDR and a Canadian-led
team reflects our commitment to building a facility that is rooted in our values, responsive to
patient needs, and designed with compassion, innovation, and excellence.”
Betty-Lou Souter
Chair, Board of Trustees, Hotel Dieu Shaver
“On behalf of the Board, I’m thrilled to see this exciting milestone take shape. This step
represents not just a hospital expansion, but an investment in the future health and wellbeing
of our community. We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for their support and to our
project partners for their leadership and vision.”
Barbara Miszkiel
Vice-President, Health Director Canada East, HDR Architecture Associates Inc.
“It is a privilege to join forces with Hotel Dieu Shaver, bringing our profound expertise in
Canadian healthcare to this vital project. With our dedicated partners and stakeholders, we are
committed to shaping a space that embodies healing, dignity, and innovation—one that truly
honours the hospital’s remarkable legacy in the Niagara region. Together, we will create an
environment that uplifts and inspires, ensuring its impact resonates for generations to come.”
Sylvia Jones
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
“Our government is protecting Ontario’s health care system and ensuring that more people in
St. Catharines and across Niagara Region can connect to world-class rehabilitation and complex
care, where and when they need it most. By supporting the expansion at Hotel Dieu Shaver, we
are making it faster and easier for more people and their families to access the right care, in the
right place, for years to come.”
About Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre:
As the only rehabilitation hospital in Niagara, Hotel Dieu Shaver provides exceptional clinical
outcomes in rehabilitation and complex care through the expertise of skilled staff and
physicians, state-of-the-art equipment and compassionate care. Driven by a mission to restore
health, rebuild lives, and renew hope, Hotel Dieu Shaver is proud to treat more than 1,100
inpatients and see more than 22,000 outpatients every year, reaching the highest level of
patient outcomes and restoration of quality of life.
About HDR Architecture Associates Inc.:
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring
electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture,
engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural
environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex
challenges.