An exciting milestone in the construction of a new Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre in Burns Lake was reached today with the official groundbreaking.

"The new hospital will be a welcome addition by families and health-care professionals alike," said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad, on behalf of Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. "Building patient care in Burns Lake with the replacement of Lakes District Hospital and Health Care has been a true community effort."

PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. has been awarded the contract to design and build the Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre. The total project cost of up to $55 million is shared between the government of British Columbia and Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District.

The replacement hospital is scheduled to be completed and open for patient by the fall of 2015. The project is expected to generate approximately 200 direct jobs during the construction period. The new hospital is being built behind the current facility, which will be demolished once the new centre is completed and occupied.

"It is a tremendous day as the construction work starts on the new Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre. The new hospital will enable staff to deliver high-quality health services in a modernized environment for the residents of Lakes District and area," said Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health chief executive officer.

The new hospital will have 16 beds and the new centre will provide acute care and emergency services, diagnostic imaging, a laboratory and pharmacy. Space also is planned for a medical clinic along with the delivery of mental health and addictions services, public health, and home and community care.

The facility will be a two-storey building and approximately 6,100 square metres (65,000 square feet). The hospital will be a green and energy efficient facility designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Gold certification.

"Starting construction is an exciting stage for this project. With the groundbreaking, we are getting closer to having a facility that will provide high-quality care for patients in the area," said Ralph Roy, chair of the Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District.

Since 2001, government has spent approximately $8 billion on health capital projects in British Columbia. The North has benefited from these investments, including the Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre, as well as a new hospital planned for Haida Gwaii and funding for the Northern Health Learning and Development Centre at the University Hospital of Northern B.C.

Media Contacts:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887

Northern Health
778 349-2716