Image Credit: Interior Health

By Dave Barry

CARIBOO MEMORIAL

Cariboo Memorial Hospital re-development one step closer

Jul 24, 2019 | 12:03 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The NDP government has given the green light to the business plan for the redeveloped Cariboo Memorial hospital in Williams Lake.

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix was in Williams Lake to make the announcement.

“Approving this business plan on time and on schedule for Cariboo Memorial Hospital demonstrates Premier Horgan’s commitment to Williams Lake and the Cariboo Chilcotin,” said Dix. “This project will improve health care in the region, increase necessary services and help retain health-care professionals. In the construction period, it will bring some 1,400 direct and indirect jobs to the region.”

The plan pegs the cost of the project at $218 million and 9,500 square metres of new space as well as renovations to the existing building which was built in 1963.

“The project has expanded since we approved the concept plan in February 2018 with an increase of up to 53 beds. Cariboo Memorial currently has 28,” said Dix.

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When completed, Cariboo Memorial Hospital will feature a larger emergency department, more room for ambulatory care, a mental health and substance use inpatient unit, a maternal services unit, and space for the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine.

“This project is a much-needed investment in our health services, and a major contribution to the resilience and economic stability of our region,” said Bob Simpson, the chair of the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District.

An inter-faith sacred space will be created on the main floor of the new redeveloped building. The Ministry of Health says it is intended for traditional, sacred cultural and healing practices.

“An investment of this magnitude is going to have significant benefits to this entire region. It strengthens the government’s commitment to this area, which will strengthen the services to the people of this area,” said Williams Lake Indian Band Chief Willie Sellars.

Construction is expected to begin in 2021 and will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will concentrate on the new addition space for the hospital and is scheduled to be completed in 2023.

The second phase will include renovations to the current hospital and is scheduled for completion in 2025.

The announcement is the next step in a long development process for the hospital. The Ministry of Health says a master site plan for the hospital was produced in 2011. The original concept plan as submitted in the spring of 2015. Then a revised concept plan was submitted in the fall of 2017. It was approved in February 2018.