Image: BC Cancer / Focal Point Studios / BC Cancer Care Centre in Prince George, could be a model for a future centre in Kamloops.

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Kamloops cancer facility still has a long way to go

Jan 27, 2023 | 5:00 AM

SORRY IF I’M NOT OVERLY EXCITED about a story from the TNRD a week ago that there is a budget item to look at a business plan for a new cancer clinic in Kamloops.

While I share in the excitement that we finally have a first step in the long-awaited project, this is so far into the future that it may never come to pass.

In presenting the Regional Hospital District’s requests for the next year, Dianne Kostachuk, Interior Health’s Director of Business Operations, presented a $600,000 item for a business case study for a new clinic.

The TNRD is being asked for $240,000 toward the study.

While this is a nice move forward, it really doesn’t mean much right now. There are still a lot of hurdles to jump. First of all, the business case study will tell us if a clinic is feasible, and look at the overall cost, resources available, a possible site, and the list goes on.

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

13h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

19h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

Dec 12, 2024

Once the study is done — and who knows how long that will take — we will know if the project will move forward. Then the government will have to find the money and put a timetable in place.

Much will depend on the state of the economy at that time. It could be pushed back even further into the future. By that point, costs will have no doubt ballooned, technological advances could well change the type of equipment we need, and we may have another roadblock to get around.

So let’s be cheered by this small step forward but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. New governments, new priorities, all could get in the way of progress. We’re still a long way from shovels in the ground.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

Sunday, we’ll have a look at what has been accomplished by this new City Council during its first quarter in office. A one-word answer beginning with “N” and ending with “g” probably won’t suffice, so I’ll have to offer some additional thoughts to the mix. Stay tuned!

—

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.