Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Amandalina Letterio

KAMLOOPS HOSPICE

Kamloops Hospice unveils new ‘Outlook for Peace’ building

Oct 20, 2021 | 4:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Hospice Association has opened the doors to its new ‘Outlook for Peace’ building.

The idea came from a Kamloops couple, Jeff and Joan Glaicar, who spent a lot of time at hospice while they were saying goodbye to their dear friend Joanne.

“She was young. She had two children. My wife helped her children throughout the journey, which was a 10-year journey with brain cancer,” Jeff Glaicar told CFJC News.

The Outlook for Peace building is a comfortable sanctuary for families saying goodbye to their loved ones.

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“The father lived in Victoria, and he had come up once a month for ten years if you could believe it. And when she was in hospice when we came here, he was essentially sitting beside her bedside sleeping on the couch overnight,” he continued.

That was when Glaicar and his wife came up with the idea. They collaborated with Kamloops businesses and families to donate the $450,000 building to Kamloops Hospice.

Local designer Tanya Wassen was selected to create the refuge of relief.

“The design intent is for it to be a space of contemplation, calmness, feel a sense of serenity. Really maximize these beautiful views that I think are one of the best I’ve seen in Kamloops,” Wassen said.

It’s filled with the tranquil sound of trickling fountains and comfortable sitting spaces for multiple people.

The Kamloops Hospice Association says the gift is more than it could have ever dreamed or imagined.

“This is an outlook for peace. For sharing, for families, friends. Even for our staff to wander in, maybe they’re feeling overwhelmed one day and just need that moment to catch their breath. This is that space,” Kamloops Hospice Association Executive Director Wendy Marlow said.

Joanne’s journey became a way for the Glaicar family to give harmony to the families of Kamloops who need it most.

“We called it outlook for peace for a really pointed reason. We really think that’s important. Those final moments are really hard on families. If that peace is that final moment that they can have, I think we really accomplished our goal,” Glaicar said.