The B.C. government says it’s full speed ahead for the redevelopment of the hospital in Williams Lake.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province has approved the business plan for the state-of-the-art Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
Dix says the $218 million dollar three-story expansion and renovation project will improve health care in the region and create about 1,400 direct and indirect jobs.
The project will boost the number of beds from 28 to up to 53 and will expand the emergency department, create more room for ambulatory care, add a mental health and substance use inpatient unit, as well as a maternal services unit – which lets new parents stay in the same room with their babies until they are ready to go home.
“An investment of this magnitude is going to have significant benefits to this entire region. It strengthens the government’s commitment to this area, which will strengthen the services to the people of this area,” said Chief (Kukpi7) Willie Sellars, Williams Lake Indian Band. “We’re excited to be making this announcement alongside the province and the City of Williams Lake. Let’s get started.
Residents have been awaiting redevelopment of the hospital since 2011, when the Cariboo Memorial Hospital master site plan was completed.
Phase one of construction will begin in 2021 with work on the new addition and is expected to finish in 2023.
After that, phase two will begin on renovations to the current hospital, which is scheduled to be complete in 2025.
