Canadians are hanging up our skates this year, but that hasn't stopped us from putting our hockey arenas to good use; in Montreal, healthcare workers are using a local arena as a temporary COVID-19 hospital.

The Canadian Red Cross and the CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal worked together to transform the Jacques Lemaire Arena into a makeshift hospital.

The new facility can hold up to 40 patients, and it will accommodate residents from both public and private long-term care homes that require hospitalization due to COVID-19.

CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

The new hospital is set to open in the next few days, after the site is disinfected and fully stocked with medical equipment.

Patients waiting to be transferred are presently being sent to dedicated COVID-19 care units at the nearby Hôpital de LaSalle.

Quebec Red Cross

"This complex project has come together thanks to the exceptional work of our IUHSSC's teams, who have essentially created a complete village," the CIUSSS said. "We thank the Canadian Red Cross, who collaborated by providing the equipment needed to set up this mobile hospital."

"It is also important to highlight the participation of the borough of LaSalle, who have provided the arena and logistical support in terms of water supply and sewage connection."

The mobile hospital is expected to provide relief to the 22-bed unit at LaSalle Hospital, which is already half-full.