North America’s first un-encapsulated mass timber hospital is one step closer to reality.

Arrival of mass timber materials to the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital construction site was marked by a celebration from local and provincial partners. MPP Tyler Allsopp, Mayor Steve Ferguson‌, and representatives from Infrastructure Ontario (IO), HDR Inc., M. Sullivan & Son Limited, PECMH Foundation, PECMH Auxiliary, Prince Edward Family Health Team, and Quinte Health visited the site June 27 to check in on the progress of the unique build.

Mass Timber uses large scale, high strength engineered wood products in place of traditional industrial and commercial building materials like steel and concrete. 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 that reduces the building’s carbon footprint by sequestering carbon naturally. This forward-thinking 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. Beyond sustainability, mass timber also creates a soothing, natural environment that promotes healing.

With construction now well underway, Quinte Health said in a recent update that 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.