New RIH parkade set to open on Monday

Jul 21, 2016 | 12:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — The long-awaited new 350-stall parkade at Royal Inland Hospital will open to the public on Monday.

IHA Health Service Director Kris Kristjanson says members of the public entering the hospital site from Third Avenue or Columbia Street and looking to park, will now take a different path.

“They’ll see an extra staff person and some signage directing them to turn left, or east, which will take them through the breezeway and to the new parkade.”

Kristjanson notes the existing parkade at the rear of the building will be off limits to the public as of Monday.

“The public and patients are used to driving straight up to the back, and then entering the parkade on the roof level and then circling down. That parkade is now going to be dedicated to staff only. The parkade up front in the Clinical Services Building will be dedicated to the public only.”

Pedestrians will also have a new option to access the hospital from street level on Columbia Street.

“They can continue to use the stairs, or they can come into the Clinical Services Building at the lobby level and then take an elevator straight up to the top floor,” said Kristjanson. “It links by the pedestrian walkway into the main hospital on the second floor.”

Kristjanson says staff at the hospital are looking forward to the new parkade finally being open.

“It’s going to be a great asset for Royal Inland Hospital and the community we serve.”

EXTRA: Map of Royal Inland Hospital