On March 12, 2025, we hosted a community open house for the Dawson Creek & District Hospital (DCDH) Replacement Project, welcoming over 50 enthusiastic community members who were interested in learning about the exciting developments of the new hospital. The event was a fantastic opportunity for attendees to connect with project team representatives, ask questions, and share their thoughts on the future of health care in our region.

The President of Métis Nation BC, Walter Mineault, kicked off the event with inspiring opening remarks. He expressed excitement for the new hospital and emphasized its crucial role in serving our community and attracting health care professionals to the region. His words resonated deeply with everyone present, setting a positive tone for the evening.

Throughout the evening, the room buzzed with meaningful conversations. Attendees engaged with project team representatives, discussing various aspects of the new hospital, and sharing their hopes and expectations. The sense of community and collaboration was noticeable, making the event truly memorable.

We also encouraged attendees to share their thoughts and input about the new hospital with us. Here are the common themes from the engagement boards:

What services/features are most important to you in the new hospital?

The most important services and features highlighted include adequate staffing, which was the most frequently mentioned. Many emphasized the need for enough staff to keep the emergency department open 24 hours a day and to have more doctors available. The importance of a fully functional emergency department was also stressed, along with the need for an ambulance bay capable of handling multiple ambulances at once. Supportive services and programs for mental health and addictions were commonly mentioned, as well as the necessity of having medical imaging to avoid costly private services. Additionally, advocacy for patients who need to travel for care to other communities was another recurring theme.

What is one word to describe how you want the new hospital to look and feel?

Community members want the new hospital to have a modern appearance and a welcoming atmosphere. The need for state-of-the-art facilities was frequently mentioned, along with the importance of having well-marked directions to various departments.

How will the new hospital benefit the community?

The new hospital is expected to provide significant benefits to the community. Many community members highlighted the importance of single-occupancy rooms for improved patient care. The need for more space and beds was frequently mentioned, along with the expectation that the new hospital will help recruit and retain medical staff, indicating its importance to the community.

What are you most excited about with the new hospital?

Community members are most excited about the state-of-the-art medical equipment that the new hospital will have. The prospect of having more doctors who will stay in the community was another common theme. Increased bed capacity and the availability of more medical imaging devices were frequently mentioned. Additionally, there was excitement about not having to travel to Fort St. John for services.

We were also thrilled to have generous door prizes donated by local businesses, including Deep Physio, True North Fitness, South Peace Chiropractic, Dawson Creek Golf & Country Club, City of Dawson Creek, and Dawson Creek Health Food Centre. These contributions added a special touch to the event, and many attendees left with wonderful prizes.In addition, the DCDH Foundation launched a new raffle and the DCDH Auxiliary launched a new fundraising campaign.

The DCDH Foundation’s "Gift of Flight Raffle” offers a chance to win a roundtrip flight for two to any regularly scheduled WestJet destination. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit https://dchospitalfoundation.rafflenexus.com.

The DCDH Auxiliary’s “Sock It Away” campaign is for the purchase of a Tovertafel machine for Rotary Manor. The Tovertafel is a projector that provides a variety of interactive games designed to improve the quality of life for dementia patients. They are fundraising for $19,500 for each machine. As a small group of dedicated volunteers, each and every donation is greatly appreciated. To learn more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078961200394

We are incredibly thankful to everyone who took the time to attend and contribute to the success of the Open House. Your support and enthusiasm are invaluable as we move forward with this important project.

Stay tuned for future events, as we hope to host another open house next year! We look forward to continuing this journey together and making a positive impact on health care in our community.

Members from the DCDH Project Team had the privilege of participating in the 2025 Adventures in Health Care program in Dawson Creek on March 11, 2025.

The Adventures in Health Care program is an initiative designed to introduce high school students to a variety of health care careers and pathways. The program, which engages students through hands-on activities, workshops, and interactions with professionals, aims to inspire the next generation of health care workers.

During the program, 36 students in Grades 10 and 11 from Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, and Tumbler Ridge had the opportunity to learn about the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital project. They met with our project team members and heard firsthand about our career journeys in health care. This interaction provided valuable insights into the diverse roles and responsibilities within the health care sector.

One of the highlights of our involvement was an interactive activity where we divided the students into groups and rotated through various stations. Each station featured prompting questions designed to spark discussion and reflection.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the students' responses:

What qualities make a great health care team?

• Communication: Emphasized repeatedly as good communication is crucial for effective teamwork.
• Teamwork: Highlighted as essential for collaboration and achieving common goals.
• Empathy and Compassion: Important for understanding and caring for patients' needs.
• Patience and Resilience: Necessary for handling stressful situations and maintaining perseverance.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Vital for making informed decisions and finding solutions.
• Leadership and Accountability: Key for guiding teams and taking responsibility.
• Continuous Learning and Growth Mindset: Important for staying updated with new knowledge and technologies.
• Positivity and Motivation: Essential for maintaining a positive work environment and encouraging others.
• Technical Skills and Knowledge: Required for performing tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Adaptability and Open-mindedness: Important for adjusting to new situations and embracing diverse perspectives.

What excites you about working in the new hospital once it’s complete?

• New Technology and Equipment: Enthusiasm for using advanced tools and machines.
• Improved Work Environment: Anticipation of a modern, spacious, and well-designed facility.
• Better Patient Care: Expectation of enhanced resources and spaces to provide superior care.
• Opportunities for Research and Learning: Excitement about exploring new topics and discovering innovations.
• Positive Atmosphere: Looking forward to a more welcoming and aesthetically pleasing environment.
• Increased Job Opportunities: Hope for more roles and career growth within the new hospital.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Desire for better connections between departments and teamwork.
• Modern Infrastructure: Appreciation for the updated layout and functionality of the new hospital.

What area of health care are you interested in?

• Nursing: Various specializations including pediatric, neonatal, travel, and operating room nursing.
• Medical Specialties: Interests in fields like anesthesiology, dermatology, cardiology, and radiology.
• Mental Health: Focus on roles such as psychologists, mental health clinicians, and social workers.
• Technical Roles: Interest in positions like lab techs, ultrasound techs, and MRI techs.
• Research and Academia: Aspirations to work in research, medical imaging, and as medical professors.
• Primary Care: Roles such as family doctors and nurse practitioners.

What inspired you to pursue a career in health care?

• Personal Experiences: Many were inspired by family members, personal health struggles, or experiences in hospitals.
• Desire to Help Others: A common motivation to make a difference and support those in need.
• Interest in Science and Medicine: Fascination with the human body, diseases, and medical advancements.
• Influence of Media: Inspiration from TV shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Good Doctor."
• Financial Stability: Recognition of the good pay and job security in the health care field.
• Community Impact: A drive to improve the well-being of their community and contribute positively.

These themes reflect the values, motivations, and aspirations of individuals in the Adventures in Health Care Program. Our team was thrilled to be part of this initiative, helping to guide and inspire the future of health care. We look forward to participating in this event again next year!

Pictured from left to right: Sarah Wilson, Project Director; Jennifer Dunn, Clinical Lead; Bart DeVries, Project Manager; Shirley Nichol, Operational Readiness Lead; Ramona Daly, Project Coordinator; Ashley Pannozzo, Community Engagement & Communications Liaison; Bhavesh Joshi, Project Manager; Byron Stewart, Northeast Recruitment & Retention Ambassador.

We are excited to invite you to an Open House event for the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital (DCDH) project. This event is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about this important development in our community, engage with our project team, and share your valuable input.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, March 12
• Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Location: George Dawson Inn & Conference Centre, Hunter Room

During the Open House, you will have the chance to:

• Learn about the new hospital: Discover the vision, design, and key features of the new hospital.
• Engage with project team members: Meet the dedicated team members behind this project, including representatives from Northern Health leadership, the DCDH Project Management Team, Graham Design-Builders, and Angus Connect. This is a great opportunity to discuss the project's progress and future plans.
• Share your thoughts and input: Your feedback is valuable to us. We encourage you to share your thoughts on the project and the future of health care in Dawson Creek.
• Enjoy light snacks and refreshments: We will be providing light snacks and refreshments for your enjoyment.
• Enter the door prize draw: Attendees will have the opportunity to enter their name in a door prize draw for some amazing health and wellness-related prizes generously donated by our community partners.

This is an open invitation for the general public, so please feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Open House!

Project Status Update

Where we’re at

The new Dawson Creek & District Hospital has risen to the skyline and we have said farewell to the two mighty tower cranes – Hank and Dan. These mechanical marvels played a crucial role in the construction of the new hospital and have captured the hearts and imaginations of our community. On November 14, Hank (tower crane #1) was carefully dismantled and removed from the site, followed by Dan (tower crane #2) on December 4. Their departure marks the end of an era but also reminds us of the exciting and quick progress being made.

In addition, the installation of structural steel on Level 3 is now complete as well as majority of the roof installation, with the remainder being complete in March. Work continues on interior framing throughout the building and work is now underway on wall rough ins for mechanical and electrical as well as the installation of windows on Level 2.

What’s next

Over the coming months, the exterior of the building will start looking different each week as work begins on the full building envelope.

Focus on the inside of the building will remain on mechanical and electrical wall rough ins, with the first zones being complete by the end of January. In February, interior drywall installation will begin followed by finishes and architectural items such as paint, millwork, wall protection and flooring. All of the windows on Level 1 and Level 2 will be installed by the end of February, which will allow for more natural light throughout the building.

Elevators are currently being installed and will be operational by the end of March. Mechanical and electrical rooms throughout the building will also start taking shape as more equipment is delivered and installed. The remainder of the multi-trade racks will be installed on Level 0.

Construction Progress Photos

Operational Readiness and Transition Planning

Angus Connect has been actively advancing operational readiness at DCDH in collaboration with the Project Management Office. In September 2024, Phase 1: Project Initiation and Current State Assessment was successfully completed. This phase included capturing Corporate Opening Day Views, conducting a Lessons Learned workshop to gather insights from neighbouring capital projects, and engaging program leaders to understand the current state workflows at DCDH.

In October 2024, Angus Connect launched Phase 2: Development and Implementation, the largest phase in the three-phase approach, which will continue until Substantial Completion (November 2026). Through extensive collaboration with regional and local stakeholders, Angus Connect completed Patient Journey Mapping and Materials Mapping during their second site visit, conducted a Future State Assessment, and developed a comprehensive Change Map to address key changes across people, processes, and technology. Building on the insights from the change map, the development of an orientation, training, and education plan is underway to guide upcoming engagement sessions focused on the facility's start up activities. A Risk Register was also developed to track risks across all disciplines in the replacement project and to support ongoing discussions about mitigation strategies.

Currently, Angus Connect is collaborating with user groups to develop Operational Readiness Workplans. These plans will outline detailed steps for operationalizing each major change in the new facility. Angus Connect is energized by the progress made and looks forward to continuing this meaningful work to ensure a smooth and successful transition at DCDH.

Other Exciting News

Mock-up review: Inpatient washroom and accessories

Prior to the holidays, users from Facilities Maintenance, Infection Prevention and Control, and Rehabilitation attended a detailed mock-up review of the inpatient washroom and accessories on-site of the new Hospital. This session was crucial for gathering user feedback and ensuring the design meets the highest standards of functionality and safety.

Areas of feedback included:

• Nightlight placement for enhanced nighttime visibility and safety
• Location and size of swing-up grab bars
• Placement of sink cleanout and shut-off valves
• Backrest placement and width to comply with BC Building Code
• Height and support of the flush valve
• Accessible placement of Nurse Call, Emergency, and Call Bell devices
• Paper towel dispenser location for improved access and safety

Site tour with Northern Lights College

Recently, representatives from the Northern Lights College (NLC) Executive and Health Sciences teams joined us for a site tour.

We want to extend our thanks to NLC for their incredible collaboration over the past year – they have been an exceptional neighbour since construction started. They have allowed Graham to lease a portion of their land for the site offices complex and temporary parking lot for site workers and have worked closely with us to ensure that everyone is informed about any road closures due to construction activities.

In return, we supported NLC by providing them with excavated dirt and fill for future projects on their campus. This mutually beneficial exchange has not only helped manage resources efficiently but also contributed to their development plans. As part of the project, we will also be straightening out the rear access road into the NLC Campus, which will enhance accessibility and safety for everyone using the road.

Featured Stories

• A Project Update: September 2024
• Tower crane #1 (aka Hank) being removed
• Farewell to Hank and Dan: Dawson Creek's Towering Heroes
• Mock-up review: Enhancing inpatient washroom design
• Site tour with Northern Lights College
• Monthly labour report - As of October 31, 2024 [PDF]
• Monthly labour report - As of November 30, 2024 [PDF]
• Monthly labour report - As of December 31, 2024 [PDF]
• Construction Camera Timelapse - October 2024 [VIDEO]
• Bird's Eye View: Tower Crane #1 Removal [VIDEO]
• Construction Camera Timelapse - November 2024 [VIDEO]
• Construction Camera Timelapse - December 2024 [VIDEO]

Interested in learning more?

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Contact us directly

Email us at LetsTalkDCDH@northernhealth.ca.

We're launching a new community newsletter to give you exclusive updates about the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital project.

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Join our community of supporters to be the first to know about the latest developments and stay connected with the future of health care in Dawson Creek.

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Crews will be working and operating equipment overnight from January 21 to 25, 2025, to take advantage of the forecasted warm weather this week.

What to expect:

Work will be underway from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM on these days to backfill the north side of the building. This involves hauling material from the stockpile on site and placing and compacting the material. There will be no hauling material to the site, so there will be no truck traffic on residential streets. However, the equipment will have backup alarms active for safety reasons, which may cause some noise.

The City of Dawson Creek has given Graham Design-Builders permission to work through the night and outside the typical bylaw quiet times.

Why are we doing this?

By taking advantage of the warm overnight temperatures, we aim to complete a significant amount of work in a short period of time which will hopefully benefit the overall project schedule.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to complete this important project.

Questions, concerns, or more information?

Please email: LetsTalkDCDH@northernhealth.ca

Recently, the Northern Lights College (NLC) Executive and Health Sciences teams joined us for a tour to see the remarkable progress being made on the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital, which will soon improve health care services in our community.

We would like to recognize the ongoing collaboration between NLC and Graham Design-Builders over the last year – they have been an exceptional neighbour since construction started.

NLC allowed Graham to lease a portion of their land for the site offices complex and temporary parking lot for site workers, which has been invaluable. This has ensured that construction activities proceed smoothly without disrupting the daily operations of the college.

In return, we supported NLC by providing them with excavated dirt and fill for future projects on their campus. This mutually beneficial exchange has not only helped manage resources efficiently but also contributed to the college's development plans.

We also worked together to ensure that students, staff, visitors, and community members were well informed about the closure of the rear access road into the campus. This closure had a major impact those coming to the campus and construction site and NLC's cooperation made this process very smooth.

As part of the Hospital Replacement project, we will be straightening out the rear access road into the NLC Campus. This improvement will enhance accessibility and safety for everyone using the road.

NLC plays a crucial role in our community, especially in health care programming and recruitment. Their Health & Human Services programs train the next generation of health care professionals, ensuring that our region has a steady supply of skilled workers. NLC's commitment to education and training helps meet the growing demand for health care services and supports the recruitment of qualified staff for our new hospital.

Before the Christmas break, Graham Design-Builders conducted a detailed mock-up review of the inpatient washroom and accessories on-site of the new Hospital. This session was crucial for gathering user feedback and ensuring the design meets the highest standards of functionality and safety.

Representatives from NH Facilities Maintenance, Infection Prevention and Control, and Rehabilitation were in attendance to provide feedback on the placement of accessories. Key points of feedback included the:

• Placement of the nightlight to ensure the space was sufficiently illuminated and to enhance visibility and safety during nighttime use
• Location and size of swing-up grab bars
• Placement of sink cleanout and shut off valves
• Placement and width of the backrest to ensure compliance with the BC Building Code’s requirements
• Height of the flush valve and any necessary supports to ensure it doesn’t interfere with the backrest
• Placement of the Nurse Call, Emergency and Call Bell devices to ensure they are accessible without posing a ligature risk
• Location of the paper towel dispenser to improve access near the sink and avoid patients bumping into it

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.