More long-term care beds are coming for people living throughout the Greater Victoria area as Island Health prepares to build a new care home in the Westshore.

“Ensuring that seniors in B.C. are able to live independently for as long as safely possible and have access to comfortable, home-like care services when they need it is a top priority for our government,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “That’s why we continue to invest in projects such as this Westshore long-term care project, to meet the growing demands for high-quality long-term community-based care.”

The three-story facility has entered the procurement phase and will be located near the corner of Metchosin Road and Latoria Boulevard in the Royal Bay area of Colwood. It will bring 306 new care home beds to the region, with construction expected to begin in 2025 and complete in 2027.

“We are so pleased to be moving ahead with plans for a new long-term care home in the Westshore,” said Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health. “Ensuring that seniors and younger adults who require long-term care have access to safe, compassionate care will allow them to age with dignity in a supportive and home-like environment.”

The care home will include a hospice unit and a specialized unit for younger adults who require long-term care. An adult day program will allow people to live independently in the community while receiving services to support their well-being and health. There will also be hairdressing and therapy services and a bistro for residents of the building, as well as an adjacent 37-space child care facility.

"The Westshore long-term care project is a reflection of our commitment to our community and an investment in our future,” said Kevin Murdoch, chair, Capital Regional Hospital District. “We are proud to be part of this partnership with Island Health and the Province, and we believe that this facility will provide a valuable service for many years to come."

The facility will be on a two-hectare (five acres) parcel of land, recently acquired by the Capital Regional Hospital District. Island Health will lease the land and build, own and operate the new facility.

The capital cost of the project is $224 million, with the Capital Regional Hospital District contributing approximately $67 million and the Province investing $157 million.

Over the past five years, government has invested approximately $2 billion to improve care for seniors, including investments in primary care, home health, long-term care and assisted living.

Quotes

Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin –

“For seniors and their families, long-term care homes are more than just a place to receive care. They are a home away from home where seniors can continue to live with dignity while receiving the support they need to stay healthy and happy. This new facility in Colwood means more people will benefit from those services for years to come.”

Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care –

“It is important for people to know that when they grow old and can no longer live safely and independently at home, they can count on getting the care they need close to home with dignity and comfort. This new facility demonstrates government’s continued commitment to improving and strengthening seniors’ care in our province.”

John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca –

“The Westshore area is growing immensely, and as more people live and age there, more health support services are needed to ensure seniors have the care they need. This new facility will add hundreds of long-term care beds, allowing more seniors to remain in their community when they need extra care and providing families with the assurance that their loved ones are receiving top-quality care.”

Doug Kobayashi, mayor of Colwood –

“This announcement is the culmination of years of work and preparation by the City of Colwood, our Westshore neighbours, the Capital Region, Island Health and the Province. It represents a huge step in the right direction for improving access to health care on the Westshore, and an opportunity for more seniors to age in the community they know and love, with dignity.”