Image Credit: Interior Health

By James Peters, CFJC Today

Health

Calgary-based firm picked to head up $366M Williams Lake hospital redevelopment

Feb 15, 2023 | 5:11 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Interior Health has chosen the contractor who will lead the $366-million redevelopment of Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake.

In a news release issued Wednesday (Feb. 15), the Ministry of Health says IH has signed a deal with Graham Design Builders of Calgary.

In addition to major renovations to the existing hospital, the project will build a three-storey, 100,000-square foot addition. It will build a new emergency department, a new medical/surgical inpatient unit, and will nearly double the number of in-patient beds to 53.

With nearly double the space comes the need for additional health care professionals. Health Minister Adrian Dix believes the new hospital will help recruit new talent.

“Building a new hospital does have value in recruitment, it has value in recruitment to doctors, nurses, to health sciences professionals and other. It demonstrates the value and the confidence we have in Williams Lake as a community. A $366-million dollar investment in their hospital tells people of the central importance of Williams Lake to health,” said Dix.

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There has been recent controversy around the Cowichan Hospital and shutting our local first nation contractors from the Community Benefit (CBA) Agreement structure.“We are going to continue through the building process to ensure that the community benefits to the maximum possible degree. There is some discussion around CBA or community benefits agreement. There is not one in place on the Williams Lake Hospital but it is obviously our expectation that the community will benefit,” stated Dix.

The first phase of construction — the addition — is set to begin this spring and finish in the fall of 2026. The second phase, which will see the existing space renovated, will begin in the fall of 2026 and wrap up in early 2029.

The estimated $366-million project cost will be shared between the province and the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District.