Minister Dix, Feb 8, 2024 (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

KAMLOOPS CANCER CENTRE

Kamloops Cancer Centre reaches request for proposal stage

Jun 17, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The long awaited Kamloops Cancer Centre took another step toward reality on Monday (June 17) morning as the ministry of health announced that two companies have been selected to participate in the request for proposal stage.

Following the bidding process, construction on the five story building is expected to begin in the summer of 2025.

The move to begin accepting requests for proposals to build the Kamloops Cancer Centre dovetails with the timeline given by Minister Adrian Dix earlier this year when he announced the project. It also keeps eyes on a 2028 opening date for patients.

“We are proceeding, we are building the hospitals we need for the next 50 or 60 years,” Dix said. “The cost is significant, but also the priority is significant, as well. And I think what it does, as in Kamloops, is it increases our ability to recruit, as well.”

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The estimated $359-million price tag will be covered by the province, BC Cancer and the Thompson Regional Hospital District. The latter recently reduced their overall financial contribution to the project, a hurdle the minister stated has now been cleared between the parties.

“The province is the main funder of this project,” Dix said. “And then for the additional stuff, the hospital district is contributing and we are pleased with that. We have worked these issues out with the hospital district.”

Asked if the province would be able to keep the project on budget, Dix spoke to the bidding process used and stated his priority is to build the centre.

“We feel really good about the project now and really what we are doing now is hitting our marks,” Dix said.

The two companies — EllisDon and PCL — that will be bidding on the project are what the minister called the more important health care facility builders in B.C.