The holidays are just around the corner and everyone deserves a little break! The project team is taking some much needed time off after a busy year to spend time with loved ones and celebrate the holidays. And we hope you get to do the same!

Work on site will also slow down between December 20 and January 2.

We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and new year!

Stay tuned for more updates on the DCDH Project in 2025!

As the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital rises to meet the skyline, we say farewell to the two towering figures who have become local celebrities – Hank and Dan, the mighty tower cranes. These mechanical marvels have not only played a crucial role in the construction of our new hospital but have also captured the hearts and imaginations of our community.

Installed to help build the new hospital, Hank and Dan quickly became more than just construction equipment. They were symbols of the quick and exciting progress being made and were visible from almost every corner of Dawson Creek. Their presence sparked excitement and curiosity, turning a construction site into a community landmark.

The cranes' journey began when Ken Scott, a local nurse, named them Hank and Dan, after Vancouver Canucks legends, Henrik and Daniel Sedin. This transformed the cranes from cold, impersonal machinery into characters in the story of our new hospital. They became a topic of daily discussions with photos being posted of them on social media, children pointing them out and calling them the “Christmas Cranes”, and adults appreciating their engineering expertise.

On November 14, we said goodbye to Hank (tower crane #1) as he was carefully dismantled and removed from the site. Yesterday, December 4, we also said goodbye to Dan (tower crane #2). Their departure marks the end of an era but also reminds us of the power of progress as we look forward to the opening of the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital in Spring 2027.

So, here's to Hank and Dan – our towering heroes. Thank you for lifting our spirits and helping build a brighter future for health care in Dawson Creek.

The Dawson Creek skyline is changing yet again with the removal of tower crane #1 (aka Hank) today.

The second tower crane (aka Dan) will remain on site until mid-December and then will be removed as well.

VIDEO: Operator's view of the removal of the jib from the cab.

From Tuesday, October 1 to Tuesday, October 15, the intersection of 10 St., 12 St. and 112 Ave will be closed in order to complete the road crossing installation for the new BC Hydro infrastructure to the Dawson Creek & District Hospital project site.

Vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be required to take alternate routes around the closure.

See the map below for the location of the closure.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have questions or concerns, please email LetsTalkDCDH@northernhealth.ca.

Project Status Update

Where we’re at

The concrete superstructure is now complete, marking a significant milestone for the project! Currently, work is progressing on both exterior and interior framing and boarding, alongside the installation of structural steel. The installation of multi-trade racks is also ongoing, with 62 out of 80 already in place. Additionally, we have received and reviewed three out of four of the 100% design submission packages and the fourth package is anticipated to be received in early October.

What’s next

The hard-working tower cranes that currently occupy the Dawson Creek skyline will soon be taken down. Tower crane #1 is scheduled to be removed in early November, followed by tower crane #2 in mid-December. In October, work will begin on the roof installation and by the end of December, the building will be sealed and enclosed.

Department Highlights

Mental Health Unit

The mental health unit in the new hospital is located on Level 3 and includes 18 private inpatient rooms with ensuite washrooms as well as 2 high observation rooms.

Key features of the mental health unit include:

• Secure courtyard for patients to have access to the outdoors
• Family visiting and consult rooms
• Patient lounge, dining room and kitchen
• Laundry room
• Exercise room
• Group therapy room
• Activity room

Inpatient Unit and Rooms

The inpatient unit in the new facility is located on Level 2 and includes 32 medical and surgical beds and 10 convalescent care beds. There are 2 bariatric patient rooms with more square footage, a larger bathroom, and equipment and furniture to support bariatric patients. All inpatient rooms are private with ensuite washrooms, located around the perimeter of the building and allow for more flexible and enhanced care.

Key features of the inpatient rooms include:

• Large windows for access to natural light
• Bed and bedside table
• Furniture for visitors (chair and/or pull-out couch)
• Hand hygiene sink
• Interactive patient station/entertainment system
• Wardrobe
• Ceiling lift extending from the bed into the washroom

Engagement Initiatives

Site tour with Dawson Creek Mayor and Council

We had the pleasure of hosting the City of Dawson Creek’s Mayor, Council, Fire Chief, and Deputy Fire Chief for a site tour. The visit was filled with excitement as everyone saw first-hand the remarkable progress made on the new facility.

Throughout the tour, they were able to visualize the department layouts and future patient rooms that will soon serve the community.

Everyone was thrilled to see how far the project has come in just over a year and expressed their excitement for what's to come for the future of health care in Dawson Creek.

Northern Health and Graham float in Annual Fall Fair Parade

We were thrilled to join forces with Graham Design-Builders to enter a float in the Annual Fall Fair Parade! This event, as part of the Dawson Creek Exhibition & Stampede week, was an amazing opportunity for us to get involved in the community and celebrate our shared commitment to improving health care in our community and region.

Our float was centered around the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital and featured vibrant decorations and renderings of the new hospital. It was great to see that it captured attention and admiration from spectators along the route.

Thank you to everyone who came out to watch the parade, celebrate with us, and show their community spirit! We’d like to take a moment to recognize and thank all of our volunteers from the current hospital and Rotary Manor for walking alongside the float and for handing out goodies to spectators.

From Thursday, September 12 to Friday, October 4, the section of 12 St. between 112 Ave and 113 Ave will be closed due to construction activities for the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital.

Vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be re-directed around the closure.

See the map below for the location of the closure.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have questions or concerns, please email LetsTalkDCDH@northernhealth.ca.

Photo courtesy: City of Dawson Creek (Facebook)

From left to right: Amy Kaempf, Councillor; Kye MacDonald, Councillor; Todd Pickett, Deputy Fire Chief; Marcel Capelle, Fire Chief; Jerimy Earl, Councillor; Devon Aaroe, Manager of Development Services; Mike Sudnik, Councillor; Darcy Dober, Mayor; Dave Corcoran, VP of Health Care, Graham; Ashley Pannozzo, Community Engagement Liaison, Northern Health.Framing for the four clinical decision units in the Emergency DepartmentFraming for the ambulance entrance into the Emergency Department

Structural steel on Level 3

View of the covered and secure courtyard in the mental health unit

Framing of one of the four LDRP (maternity) patient bedrooms and an equipment storage room

View of where the inpatient rooms will be on the north side of the building on Level 2. All located on the perimeter of the building with large windows for access to natural light

Alternate view of where the inpatient rooms will be on the north side of the building on Level 2. All located on the perimeter of the building with large windows for access to natural light

View of where the pre-operative/day surgery/recovery stretchers will be in the surgery unit

Framing for one of two operating rooms

We were thrilled to join forces with Graham to enter a float in the Annual Fall Fair Parade!

This event, as part of the Dawson Creek Exhibition & Stampede week, was an amazing opportunity for us to get involved in the community and celebrate our shared commitment to improving health care in our community and region.

Our float was centered around the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital and featured vibrant decorations and renderings of the new hospital. It was great to see that it captured attention and admiration from spectators along the route.

Thank you to everyone who came out to watch the parade, celebrate with us, and show their community spirit!

We’d like to take a moment to recognize and thank all of our volunteers from the current hospital and Rotary Manor for walking alongside the float and for handing out goodies to spectators. Your enthusiasm and dedication were truly inspiring and helped make our participation in the parade a success.

Another special shoutout to Stephen McInnis, DCDH Maintenance Supervisor, for his incredible work in building and decorating the float. Stephen’s creativity and hard work brought our vision to life and made our float a standout feature of the parade.

We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Annual Fall Fair Parade and look forward to many more occasions to get involved with our wonderful community.

Project Status Update

The new Dawson Creek & District Hospital really starting to take shape and construction is continuing to progress well!

Since our last update, the foundation walls and the last concrete pour for the structural slabs were completed. In addition, work is underway on waterproofing, reinforcing steel, vertical construction and the installation of the multi-trade racks. Over the coming weeks, work will begin on the installation of structural steel.

Two other major milestones were achieved over the past few months – the City of Dawson Creek issued the third and final Building Permit to Graham in June and two of the 100% design packages have been received. The third and final 100% design package will be received in mid-August.

Operational Readiness and Transition Planning

We’re excited to share that we have hired Angus Connect to provide Operational Readiness Advisory Services for the project. Angus Connect (a division of H.H. Angus & Associates Ltd) is a private consulting firm that provides advisory services based on clinical expertise and real-world experience.

As we prepare for the new facility to open in Spring 2027, they will follow a 3-phased approach:

• Phase 1: Project initiation and assessment (Summer 2024)
• Phase 2: Development and implementation (Fall 2025 – Fall 2026)
• Phase 3: Transition plan, move, and learn (Summer 2026 – Summer 2027)

Angus Connect will help prepare and implement a plan to ensure Northern Health is ready to deliver the right care, at the right time, in the new facility. Through stakeholder engagement, detailed assessments, gap analysis, and patient journey mapping the team will help develop work plans for all programs and units. They will also support the development of the orientation, training, simulation and implementation plans to help ensure that the provision of healthcare services is not adversely impacted and that access to care will continue throughout the transition period.

Earlier this summer, Angus Connect kick-started this work and completed their first site visit with two workshops about lessons learned and corporate opening day view. The team looks forward to working with local leadership to help ensure a smooth transition into the new hospital.

Department Highlights

Maternity Unit

The maternity unit in the new facility includes 4 labour, delivery, recovery, and post-partum (LDRP) rooms – all of which are private with ensuite washrooms. Two rooms have birthing tubs and one room is bariatric with a larger floor plan that can support twin births. The LDRP model of care allows patients to experience labour, delivery and post-partum all while staying in the same room. The unit also features a quiet room, a holding nursery with advanced equipment, and an infant protection system.

Key features of the maternity rooms include:

• Large windows for access to natural light
• Birthing bed and bedside table
• Infant area with a built-in isolette and warmer
• Rocker chair
• Pull out couch
• Small refrigerator
• Wardrobe
• Interactive patient education/entertainment system

Emergency Department

The emergency department in the new facility will be significantly larger (double in size from the current one) and a more welcoming space. There will be a designated entrance, registration area, and waiting area – which is separate from the main entrance. Treatment spaces are private and separated by walls to improve patient privacy. Staff workstations will be situated with clear sight lines to waiting areas and treatment spaces to enhance patient care and safety.

Key features of the emergency department include:

• 15 treatment spaces
• 3 high acuity treatment spaces
• 4 clinical decision spaces
• 2 tandem trauma/resuscitation bays
• Negative pressure treatment rooms
• Crisis interview room
• Quiet bereavement room
• Enclosed, heated double bay ambulance garage
• Site security office for improved safety

Engagement Initiatives

Celebrating 1-year of construction and our amazing staff!

In collaboration with local leadership, the DCDH Project Management Office hosted a lunch celebration for Hospital, Health Unit and Rotary Manor staff to celebrate 1-year of construction on the new hospital. Everyone was invited to come down and have a bite to eat, mix and mingle with the friends and colleagues, and see the new hospital coming together right across the street.

The Meat Doctor put together an excellent meal and Dawson Creek Co-op donated cold drinks and cookies for dessert!

Deep Physio Summer Solstice Run

On Saturday, June 22, Deep Physio hosted their 10th annual Summer Solstice Run at Walter Wright Pioneer Village. It was a beautiful sunny morning and runners from all over the Peace Country laced up their shoes and gathered to celebrate fitness and giving back to the community!

The Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation was the recipient of this year’s event and received a generous donation of $5,500 to put towards local health care!

NH Spring Leadership Forum

On May 8 and 9, we showcased the project at the annual Northern Health Spring Leadership Forum in Prince George. This year’s forum brought in over 100 leaders from across the region for two days of education, collaboration, and networking. The leaders were also able to experience 50+ demo pods centered around Digital Health, SaferCare, and HealthSpaces.

The project booths featured draft renderings, construction progress photos, video walk-throughs, sample materials and finishes boards, live construction cameras, swag and giveaways, and two 3D printed cranes!

Interested in learning more?

Visit Let’s Talk DCDH

Here are some stories, photos, videos and documents that have been shared recently:

• Highlight: Inpatient Rooms
• Highlight: Mental Health Unit
• 10th annual Deep Physio Summer Solstice Run with the DCDH Foundation
• June Progress Photos
• Highlight: Maternity Unit
• List of local and regional businesses - As of June 1 2024 (PDF)
• Construction camera timelapse - May 2024 (VIDEO)
• Monthly labour report - As of May 31, 2024 (PDF)
• Highlight: Emergency Department
• May Progress Pictures
• Partial road closure: May 24
• Showcase at the Northern Health Spring Leadership Forum
• Northern Lights dancing above the tower cranes
• Construction camera timelapse - April 2024 (VIDEO)
• Monthly labour report - As of April 30, 2024 (PDF)
• A Project Update: April 2024
• Site comparison - June 2023 to March 2024 (PHOTO)

By registering for Let’s Talk DCDH, you can share your thoughts on the project by commenting on recent stories or you can ask questions directly to the project team through the Q&A tool.

Contact us directly

Email us at LetsTalkDCDH@northernhealth.ca.

What a difference a year makes! In July 2023, we celebrated the start of construction on the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital. Fast forward a year, we’re now celebrating all of exciting (and quick) progress being made on the new facility.

In collaboration with local leadership, the DCDH Project Management Office hosted a lunch celebration for Hospital, Health Unit and Rotary Manor staff. Everyone was invited to come down and have a bite to eat, mix and mingle with the friends and colleagues, and see the new hospital coming together right across the street.

The Meat Doctor put together an excellent meal with pulled pork, chicken and beef brisket on a bun with coleslaw. Our friends at Dawson Creek Co-op donated cold drinks and cookies for dessert! We are so grateful for our community partners for getting involved in this event and taking some time to appreciate the hardwork and dedication of our healthcare workers.