From BC Children’s Hospital: https://www.bcchildrens.ca/about-us/news-features/bc-childrens-hospitals-centre-health-complexity-reaches-50-cent-construction

Children and youth living with complex health needs are one step closer to accessing a new BC Children’s Hospital centre for health complexity, as construction has reached the halfway mark. Government officials and community partners marked the completion of the building’s primary structure with a “topping-off” event.

This milestone was celebrated with the last panel of mass timber being installed in place above the centre’s main entrance. The centre, slated to open in 2028, will be the first health-care facility in B.C. to use a hybrid mass timber construction.

With the completion of the primary structure, the focus will shift to finishing the building’s exterior such as the facade and roof, and continuing interior work such as installing electrical and mechanical systems, technology, material finishes, furniture and equipment.

The new centre will support nearly 2,500 children and youth annually. It will help ensure children with the most complex health needs in B.C. and the Yukon receive the specialized care they need. These children have serious, chronic medical conditions that affect multiple body systems and structures, need help with daily activities such as eating and moving, and rely on multiple health and social programs and supports.

The building design will offer innovative, accessible spaces, such as a feature ramp, an All-Nations space and Indigenous healing garden, and a wellness path through the mature grove of trees, as well as comfortable patient family meeting rooms, recreation spaces, a dining area and a teaching kitchen to support wellness, learning and community building for families. The centre’s services will include care co-ordination, consultation and training, and family wellness supports, along with outpatient and virtual care options.  

The capital cost of the project is approximately $310 million, with $40 million supported by the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, along with an additional $20 million for enhancements, for a total of $60 million in foundation support. Other project funding includes $224 million from the Province, $35 million from Provincial Health Services Authority and $11 million from the City of Vancouver (50% funding contribution for the child care centre). Construction and design for this project are led by Ledcor.

Quotes:

Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver-Renfrew —

“It’s exciting to see this important project reach the halfway mark and take another step closer towards opening its doors. This is a transformative centre that will make a real difference for children and families with needs that go beyond what a regular hospital or clinic can provide.”

Sarah Bell, chief operating officer, BC Children’s Hospital —

“I am pleased to celebrate this significant project milestone of the new BC Children’s Hospital’s centre for health complexity. This development is much needed to fill key gaps in care for children and their families with health complexities to support their function, quality of life and wellbeing. It is exciting to see this progress and I am looking forward to the day when we officially open the doors and begin welcoming patients and their families.”

Mike Brankston, chair, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation board of directors —

“Today marks visible progress on something our donors have believed in from the beginning: that families caring for children with health complexity shouldn’t have to navigate that journey on their own. This centre reflects what philanthropy can do at its best — bringing partners together, advancing new approaches and helping build a model of care that puts families at the centre. We’re grateful to the community that has made this possible and proud of what this will mean for children and families across British Columbia.”

Learn More: To find out more about the BC Children’s Hospital centre fore health complexity, please visit: bcchildrens.ca/about-us/current-projects/centre-health-complexity