Following a number of delays, Phase I of the South Health Campus, Alberta’s largest hospital is officially open.

Premier Alison Redford will be on hand for the opening ceremony of the $1.3B facility.

The construction began back in August 2007 but the project was dogged by disagreements, labour issues, and ballooning costs.

It was originally supposed to open back in June or early summer.

On Thursday, the hospital's diagnostic imaging and family clinics are open to patients.

The next phase will be open later this fall and includes cardiac care and internal care.

The emergency room is expected to be open sometime early in 2013.

The facility will employ more than 2,500 staff.

Once the hospital is completely finished, it will be Calgary’s fourth hospital and the largest in the province.