Office of the Premier
Compassionate care will be the centre of a new adult hospice in Abbotsford and the Province is providing $2.5 million to the Abbotsford Hospice Society to support its efforts to complete the facility.
Abbotsford West MLA and Finance Minister Michael de Jong made the announcement on behalf of Health Minister Terry Lake Saturday evening at the Abbotsford Hospice Society’s Moments of Hope gala.
“Hospices and their health professionals and volunteers play an important role for those that are terminally ill as well as their loved ones,” said Lake. “The funding for Holmberg House also reflects government’s commitment of providing improved end-of-life care and doubling the amount of hospice spaces in British Columbia by 2020.”
“The provincial contribution combined with generous local support will help the Abbotsford Hospice Society complete this much needed project,” said de Jong. “I want to take this opportunity to thank all those in the community for what they have done to make this centre a reality.”
Hospice services will be provided to Abbotsford residents age 19 and older at Holmberg House, named in honour of David Holmberg Jr., whose family donated to the project in his memory. Construction started in 2013, and the centre (part of the Dave Lede Campus of Care) is expected to open this year.
The Abbotsford Hospice Society has raised $10 million towards Holmberg House. Government’s $2.5 million investment today follows $3.5 in funding, which was provided in 2011 to support hospice services through the society.
“The Abbotsford Hospice Society has done great work in raising funds for this project and they are to be commended, along with the Holmberg family and the provincial government for investing in end-of-life care,” said Abbotsford South MLA Darryl Plecas.
“This announcement of $2.5 million in funding from the provincial government will go a long way in helping the community realize its goal of having an adult hospice for those in need during a difficult times in their lives,” said Abbotsford-Mission MLA Simon Gibson.
The Dave Lede Campus of Care opened in 2013 in Abbotsford and includes Canuck Place Hospice and Matthew's House, which provides respite care for children with complex medical challenges.
Media Contacts:
Jamie Edwardson
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Finance
250 888-0021
