By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Hospital redevelopment tops a provincial budget list of capital spending plans in central Alberta, with the project landing an anticipated $1 billion of provincial money over three years.
Budget 2026 calls for an increase overall of more than 35 per cent to $4.9 billion over three years in capital spending to enhance health care capacity.
Funding for the continued redevelopment of Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre makes up the lion’s share of almost $1.33 billion in three-year items for central Alberta.
A highlight list for the central region also notes that it’s slated to get a share of $3.3 billion pegged over three years for school capital projects across the province. Underway in central Alberta are 27 of 161 Alberta school projects, with 10 earmarked for 2026-2027 money.
The budget will also support municipalities in the central region with $191 million in 2026-27 funding under the Local Government Fiscal Framework.
Three lists of regional highlights in the budget exclude money for projects in Edmonton and Calgary.
Tabled Feb. 26 in the legislature, the new budget forecasts consecutive annual deficits of $9.4 billion, $7.6 billion and $6.9 billion. The government attributes the shortfalls to dramatic population growth and its pressure on core services, combined with lower-than-anticipated oil and gas revenue in a time of global uncertainty.
Nonetheless, provincewide capital spending is forecast to increase by 8.5 per cent to $28.3 billion over the next three years.
Preparation of the budget predated the ongoing attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, which have destabilized the Middle East and driven up oil prices.
Other highlights for the central region are:
· $279 million over three years to twin Highway 11 from Red Deer west to Rocky Mountain House
· $39 million over three years to build off-site infrastructure services and support further development of the Beaumont Innovation Park
· $7 million over three years to expand a beef yard and relocate a horse pen at Lakeland College’s Vermilion campus
· $4 million over three years to rehabilitate the Cooking Lake Airport
