Groundbreaking held as EllisDon chosen to build new Kamloops cancer care centre

While there were representatives from the City of Kamloops present Thursday, they were not part of the official ceremony.

It’s not clear when construction will officially get underway, but the work will be led by EllisDon Corporation, which also built the Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower. The Gaglardi Tower was officially opened to the public in 2022.

“If anyone thinks this was more than a photo op they would be mistaken,” Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar said of Thursday’s groundbreaking. “My understanding is no tangible work [will] begin until October.”

In addition to the new five-storey facility, which will also house a 470-stall parkade, the cancer centre project will include an expansion and upgrades to the existing community oncology clinic and pharmacy at Royal Inland Hospital.

The Province said construction on the Kamloops cancer centre is expected to wrap up by 2028, with upgrades to the oncology clinic and pharmacy set to be complete by 2029. The new facility is expected to process 7,500 patient radiation consults and follow-up appointments each year.

In the first year, the facility is expected to provide approximately 16,500 treatments for up to 1,200 patients.

The project is expected to cost approximately $386 million, a $27-million increase from the previous estimate of $359 million. Those costs will be shared between the Province and the Thompson Regional Hospital District, which has agreed to cover $45.1 million.

A site plan for RIH with the new Kamloops cancer care centre. (Image Credit: BC Government)

Long-promised project has many critics

Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony came amid a backdrop of widespread criticism from local officials who have been calling for a redesign of the facility to include space for a PET/CT scanner. As it stands, the Kamloops cancer centre is the only one of four currently being built in B.C. that will not be equipped with that technology.

“To us that is extremely frustrating as it’s something our residents need, and it’s something we have been advocating for,” Mike O’Reilly, the Chair of the Thompson Regional Hospital District said in June.

Added Milobar, “[there is] still time for the govt to do the right thing and give Kamloops a Cancer Centre with the same components as every other BC Cancer Centre.”

Speaking in Kamloops on Monday, Osborne reiterated the province’s stance that it was “just not possible to accommodate a PET-CT scanner” at the Kamloops cancer center.

“And I know that brings concern for people. I know it means additional travel, having to go down to Kelowna. But I also know that having the radiation therapy here is the best first start possible, knowing that you can get that care closer to home,” Osborne said.

“So we will continue working with the community, working with Interior Health and BC Cancer and, again, really doing everything we can to meet that commitment to deliver cancer care closer to home.”

Upgrades to the existing oncology clinic will include a modernization and an increase in the number of cancer-treatment spaces and exam rooms. The expanded pharmacy will include improved dispensing technology along with additional storage.

The new facility will be operated by BC Cancer in partnership with Interior Health. That partnership has also been criticized as the Kamloops cancer centre will be the only one in B.C. to have chemotherapy and radiation services in separate buildings.

by Victor Kaisar

Groundbreaking held as EllisDon chosen to build new Kamloops cancer care centre

Long-promised project has many critics

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