A new 263,000-square-foot hospital is being built in Dawson Creek to address future patient-care needs while creating a more healing, culturally sensitive care experience for Northeast region residents. The post New Dawson Creek Hospital Honors Indigenous Community appeared first on HCO News.
By Fay Harvey
DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — A new 263,000-square-foot hospital is being built in Dawson Creek to address future patient-care needs while creating a more healing, culturally sensitive care experience for Northeast region residents.
Northern Health’s new $590 million Dawson Creek and District Hospital will be more than 50% larger than the 1960s-era hospital it is replacing. The former Dawson Creek and District Hospital no longer meets today’s building standards and suffered from aging, capacity constraints and functionality issues. The new state-of-the-art hospital will bring greater medical resources to patients, while offering new career opportunities and local economic benefits to the city and local indigenous communities.
“It’s a big day for the people of Dawson Creek—one that is a long, long, long time coming,” said Adrian Dix, minister of health, in a statement. “During the business-planning stage, it became clear that Dawson Creek needed more than a redevelopment and expansion. We are delivering a new, modern hospital on a standalone site, a project that will increase necessary services, help retain health-care professionals and bring jobs to the region. The South Peace region, its patients and health-care workers deserve nothing less.”
Inside the New Hospital
The three-story facility will house an emergency department that is double the size of the existing facility alongside 15 treatment spaces, five more than the 10 available in the existing facility. Additionally, 24 new beds will be added to the space, bringing the total to 70. The new hospital will also be able to accommodate approximately 25,000 emergency room visits a year, up from the 18,00 annual visits possible in the older facility, with 290 new parking spaces available for visitors and staff.
All inpatient rooms feature amenities such as an ensuite washroom, entertainment center, nightlights, swing-up grab bars and more. Facilities maintenance, infection prevention and control and rehabilitation experts provided feedback for the inpatient and washroom accessories to ensure rooms meet the highest standards of functionality and safety, such as efficient placement of valves, call-bell services and lights.
Surgical services and ambulatory care will continue to be provided at the new facility, including chemotherapy, IV therapy, radiology, physical therapy, respiratory therapy and appointments with visiting specialists. An improved pharmacy service that meets the new National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities guidelines and requirements will also be available to patients. A new perinatal unit will include labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum rooms as well as a nursery.
Mental health resources meeting modern standards will be offered on the hospital’s third floor with two high observation rooms and 18 inpatient suites with ensuite washrooms. Adjacent to inpatient rooms sits a secure courtyard for outdoor access. Family visiting and consult rooms—as well as a patient lounge, dining room and kitchen will be found on the building’s top floor. Rooms devoted to laundry, exercise, group therapy and activities are also included in the plans.
Culturally safe and welcoming spaces were worked into the design which was completed by Calgary-headquartered Graham-Design Builders with global firm HDR as prime consultants. Using feedback and input from surrounding indigenous and local community, the hospital aims to honor the Treaty 8 territory it was built on and accommodate all visitors. A spiritual room for those of all faiths and cultures can be found in the new space to honor cultural ceremonies.
“As chair of the Peace River Regional Hospital District Board, I would like to thank the Province of B.C. for approving this much-needed facility for the people of northeast B.C.,” said Brad Sperling in a statement. “We appreciate the vision of Northern Health to see the need of providing an innovative, new hospital with extended services and capacity rather than rebuilding on the previous facility. I would lastly like to thank the Regional District board of directors for its unwavering commitment to improving the health care for the people in the Peace region.”
Looking Ahead
Recently, construction on the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital reached skyline height, marking a significant project milestone. The third-level structural steel, mechanical and electrical wall rough-ins have been placed, and roof installation will continue through March. As the full building envelope is being developed, interior drywall installation will begin, followed by finishes and architectural items such as paint, millwork, wall protection and flooring. Additionally, windows on the first and second levels will be installed by the end of this month, allowing natural light to pour into the new facility. Construction is slated to be complete in fall 2026.
The current Dawson Creek and District Hospital will continue providing medical services until the new facility opens doors in spring 2027, then will be emptied and demolished.
“The replacement of Dawson Creek and District Hospital is a capital priority for Northern Health,” said Colleen Nyce, board chair of Northern Health, in a statement, “Thanks to the collaboration with the Province of B.C., the Peace River Regional Hospital District and the City of Dawson Creek, a new hospital will soon take shape. This new facility will increase space and improve workflow for staff and physicians – and better serve the health-care needs of people in the South Peace.”
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