The parking lots at Dawson Creek and District Hospital and Rotary Manor are being resurfaced and upgraded to add more space and improve access for visitors as well as emergency and delivery vehicles.

The upgrade and expansion projects will add approximately 30 parking spaces for visitors at the northwest corner of Dawson Creek and District Hospital, as well as 30 parking spaces for staff at the rear of Rotary Manor. This will allow for improved parking availability, so visitors may have increased and efficient access to parking when they visit the Dawson Creek and District Hospital, Rotary Manor, Northview and Southview facilities. The parking spots that will become available will also ease congestion and help handle the flow of traffic around the facilities.

Dawson Creek and District Hospital's lot upgrade is a routine capital investment and $258,000 will be funded by the government of British Columbia. The total project costs are $430,000 with the Peace River Regional Hospital District contributing the remaining $172,000.

The parking lot resurfacing, including lighting, sidewalk and drainage system upgrades, is planned to be completed by January 2013.

Rotary Manor's lot upgrade is also a routine capital investment and $159,000 will be funded by the government of British Columbia. The total project costs are $265,000, with the Peace River Regional Hospital District contributing the remaining $106,000.

The parking lot resurfacing, including lighting and electrical plug-ins, is planned to be completed by December 2012.

Since 2001, more than $7 billion has been spent on health-capital projects in British Columbia. Over the next three years, British Columbia's health-care system will benefit from investments including new medical equipment and modernized health facilities as part of a $2.3-billion health sector capital plan.

Quotes:

Peace River South MLA Blair Lekstrom on behalf of Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid -

"Visitors to the facilities can look forward to a better parking experience with reduced congestion. These projects contribute greatly to an improved visitor experience, which is good news for Dawson Creek area families."

Northern Health president and CEO Cathy Ulrich -

"Families need to be able to care for each other and easily visit those in the hospital. With these projects, we will be able to offer well-lit parking lots with more space and easier access."

Karen Goodings, Peace River Regional Hospital District Board chair -

"The Regional Hospital District is proud to be able to support these projects and provide funding. Having access to safe, spacious and secure parking makes visiting family and friends at these facilities much simpler."

Media Contacts:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Northern Health
250 961-7724