| Work Detail |
Stantec has been selected to design the new $289-million BC Cancer Centre at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). The new, four-storey building will provide radiation therapy, including a CT simulator and linear accelerator vaults to provide radiation treatment. The centre will also offer an outpatient oncology ambulatory care unit with exam rooms and consult rooms, a PET/CT diagnostic scanner, systemic therapy, an oncology pharmacy and outpatient dispensary, and a sacred space. Preliminary site work will get underway in March, with construction expected to begin in the fall of 2025 and finish in 2028. “It’s very gratifying to see this critically important and life-saving facility begin to take shape,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “We are one step closer to the cancer care that people who live in the central, west coast, and northern regions of Vancouver Island need – from prevention and detection right through to treatment.” Stantec has successfully delivered more than 25 projects for the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital site in the past 15 years. Significant collaborations include the award-winning emergency and psychiatric emergency departments, Thermal Energy Centre, intensive care unit, kidney clinic and renal dialysis unit, pharmacy, and additional building systems replacements and smaller renovations. Most recently, Island Health selected Stantec to design three new long-term care homes to provide more timely and accessible care for the Vancouver Island community. “Our integrated design team is honoured to continue our work creating healthy spaces that support the human experience and patient journey back to wellness. With roughly 3,500 people in the region diagnosed with cancer annually, Nanaimo’s new cancer centre will have a substantial impact on the local community,” said Tariq Amlani, global health sector leader for Stantec. “Our design will accommodate the expansion of patient care and education needs to make the centre more accessible to patients, visitors, and staff.” Work will begin to expand parking availability at the hospital, including a new surface level parking lot at Boundary Avenue and Nelson Street, followed by construction of a new three-storey parkade at the northeast corner of Dufferin Crescent and Boundary Avenue. The parking lot is slated to be complete in 2025 and the parkade in 2026. Combined, these projects will bring 190 new parking spaces to the NRGH campus. “The beginning of preliminary sitework marks an important milestone in the advancement of cancer care for people in the region,” said Leah Hollins, Island Health board chair. “When it opens, the new BC Cancer centre will become a beacon of hope, recovery, and support in the fight against cancer.” Tree removal on the site began in in late February and be complete prior to the start of the spring bird nesting season. Island Health worked with an accredited arborist on a tree management plan to determine which trees can be safely retained and identify those that need to be removed. Minimal disruptions to parking and traffic patterns are anticipated during the tree removal period; however, patients, visitors and staff/medical staff should plan for additional time when travelling to NRGH. A partnership between BC Cancer (Provincial Health Services Authority) and Island Health, the new BC Cancer centre at NRGH will address the critical need for radiation treatment services for residents of Nanaimo and surrounding communities. “This project will greatly enhance access to cancer care, benefiting not only Nanaimo residents but also those in central and northern Vancouver Island communities,” said Tracy Irwin, chief operating officer, BC Cancer. “Since the project was announced last April, many hours have been spent refining the design, engaging partners, and ensuring that the new centre provides patient-centred care for years to come.” |
