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Photos: Minister of Health Adrian Dix's announcement in Dawson Creek
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On Monday, June 26, Minister of Health Adrian Dix visited Dawson Creek to announce the selection of the preferred proponent and signing of the Design Build Agreement for the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital. A large group of stakeholders, partners, and community members joined him on this beautiful sunny morning.
Bev Lambert, First Nations Health Council and representative for the Treaty 8 Chiefs
Shannon Anderson, Northern Health Board of Directors
Leonard Hiebert, Chair, Peace River Regional Hospital District
Darcy Dober, Mayor, City of Dawson Creek
Dr. Magda Du Plessis, Medical Director, Northern Health
Cathy Ulrich, CEO, Northern Health & Adrian Dix, Minister of Health
DCDH Project Team with Cathy Ulrich and Adrian Dix -
Proponent selected and contract signed for new Dawson Creek hospital
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People in Dawson Creek and area are one step closer to better access to care as a preferred proponent has been selected and the contract signed, with construction starting in July for the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital.
(Photo credits: Northern Lights College)
In co-ordination with Northern Health and Infrastructure BC, Graham Design Builders LP has been named the preferred proponent on the project. Graham Design Builders LP will be responsible for completing the design and building the new hospital.
“Our government has reached an important milestone with the Dawson Creek and District Hospital with the selection of the preferred proponent and the signing of the Design Build Agreement,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “People in the community and the region should expect to see work at the site in the weeks and months ahead as construction begins on the new and expanded hospital in Dawson Creek, and this is fantastic news.”
Construction is expected to begin in July 2023, with substantial completion in fall 2026. The new hospital is expected to be ready for patients in 2027.
“We are taking action to improve access to health care for every person in B.C., no matter where they live,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health. “This new hospital means that when people in Dawson Creek and surrounding communities need care they can access quality services without travelling long distances.”
The new building will be approximately 24,500 square metres (263,000 square feet) and have 70 beds, an increase of 24. The emergency department is also doubling in size. Treatment spaces are increasing from 10 to 15. The facility will continue to provide a range of surgical services, as well as chemotherapy, ambulatory care, radiology, clinical support and pharmacy services.
There will also be space for a laboratory, diagnostic imaging, as well as physical rehabilitation. New parents and families will be supported by a perinatal unit, including labour, delivery, recovery and post-partum rooms, and a nursery. Mental-health service delivery will be brought up to modern standards with a new inpatient suite and an increase of beds from 15 to 18.
“This announcement is wonderful news and an important investment for Dawson Creek and the network of communities served by the Dawson Creek and District Hospital,” said Colleen Nyce, chair of Northern Health’s board of directors. “This new facility will strengthen and improve health-care services for residents in the region, as well as the physicians and staff who provide care in this hospital.”
The hospital will be built in Treaty 8 territory, the ancestral home of the Beaver, Cree, Saulteau, Sicannie (Sikanni), and Slavey. The hospital serves the communities of Blueberry River First Nation, Doig River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, communities of Kelly Lake, Prophet River First Nation, Saulteau First Nations, and West Moberly First Nations; as well as Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous populations within the Peace region of Treaty 8 territory.
Local First Nations are being consulted throughout the project to ensure that the new facility is culturally safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant. The new facility will include a spiritual room for use by people of all cultures and faiths. There is also work being done to further the inclusion of Indigenous people within the facility and project, pending input and feedback from the committees and working groups.
The project cost is approximately $590 million, which will be shared between the Province through Northern Health, and the Peace River Regional Hospital District.
“This announcement is exciting news. The new hospital will provide a modern care facility for the residents of the Peace region for years to come,” said Leonard Hiebert, chair, Peace River Regional Hospital District. “The Peace River Regional Hospital District is a proud supporter of this new facility and we look forward to the start of construction on this very important project.”
The existing hospital will remain operational during construction. Future use of the current site will be determined after the new hospital is in operation.
Read the news release on the BC Gov News site - New hospital in Dawson Creek moves forward | BC Gov News
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Display of new DCDH at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery's annual art auction
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On Friday, June 23, the Dawson Creek Art Gallery hosted their 40th annual art auction. This year's theme was "Come Fly With Me" as the auction took place inside the aircraft hanger on Northern Lights College's campus. The event featured over 30 pieces of artwork from local and regional artists open for bidding.
To accompany the beautiful pieces of art, Northern Health was invited to feature an exhibit for the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital.
Ashley Pannozzo, Community Engagement Liaison and Jennifer Dunn, Clinical Lead set up a table and were there to answer questions about the project, share the project's fact sheet and information about upcoming milestones, and build excitement about the project with the display of artistic renderings of some of the spaces within the new facility.
The evening began with portraits and sketches by local artist Gary Lowe, mini-games to start the fun, piano tunes by Julie LaForge, and sweet and savoury snacks from Beans&Barley. Attendees enjoyed refreshments by Browns Socialhouse, a buffet dinner by Don's Diner, and a silent auction with over 40 items. The evening concluded with the art auction which was a huge success and live music by Graydon Schilds, Christian Kiyawasew and Cody Fonda.
Thank you again to the Dawson Creek Art Gallery for inviting us to be part of this exciting annual event. It truly was a remarkable evening filled with amazing pieces of artwork, great conversations with local partners and lots of fun!
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Ground blessing ceremony
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On Monday, June 19, a ground blessing ceremony was held on the site of the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital to pay respects to the territory on which the new hospital will be located. We were honoured to have Elder Della Owens from Saulteau First Nations lead the ceremony and blessing.
The morning began with Russ Beerling, Northern Health Board Member, sharing remarks about the commitment that Northern Health has to working hand in hand and side by side with the local First Nations on whose territory we are on, and in the region, to build a safe and welcoming place of healing and wellness.
Following the opening remarks, Elder Della Owens was invited to lead those in attendance through the blessing. Witnesses to the ceremony were seated in a circle and joined her with their heads lowered and hands open as she shared a prayer in Cree. Elder Della prayed and shared blessings for health of the land, for those who will build the hospital, for those who will work at the hospital, and for those who will come to the hospital for healing.
This was an important step for the project while the land was undisturbed and before construction began.
Witnesses to the ceremony included representatives from the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Saulteau First Nations, the Peace River Regional Hospital District, the City of Dawson Creek and Graham Design Builders; as well as Northern Health's Board of Directors, Indigenous Health, and the DCDH project management team.
As the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Replacement Project progresses, we are continuing to focus on collaboration with Indigenous partners which we hope will lead to improved wellness and more positive outcomes for all people, communities and Nations in Northeast BC. Local Indigenous communities are being consulted throughout the design process to ensure that the new facility is cultural safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant.
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Career Fair at Dawson Creek Secondary School
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On March 15, School District 59’s Career Education Department Team hosted a career fair for Dawson Creek Secondary School – South Peace Campus students.
We were among 25 different regional companies and organizations offering career and educational information. Approximately 100 students that came through the gymnasium along with teachers and support staff.
We featured volunteer opportunities, job and career paths through the Grow Our Own program, and quick facts about the new hospital as there is an ongoing need for health care professionals in the region.
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Education and career fair at Saulteau First Nations
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On March 9, Saulteau First Nations and the Muskoti Learning Centre hosted an education and career fair for Grade 10-12 students from Saulteau First Nations as well as students from Chetwynd Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
Northern Health was invited to feature volunteer opportunities, job and career paths through the Grow Our Own promotions and information about the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital. The new facility being built in the South Peace means an ongoing need to health care professionals in the region.
Approximately 100 students and teachers attended the event, which featured info booths from 25 different organizations. The event was extremely positive for all involved and our hope is that the youth were inspired and will consider professions in health care.
Attending these events throughout the Peace Region helps us raise awareness of career and volunteer opportunities within the health care industry and allow us to share information about the new hospital being built in the South Peace.
Pictured from left to right: Byron Stewart, Northeast Recruitment & Retention Ambassador, Machiel Mostert, Northeast Volunteer Resources Coordinator, and Ashley Pannozzo, DCDH Community Engagement Liaison -
DCDH Foundation's Donor Appreciation Event
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On November 25, the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation held a Donor Appreciation Reception at Our Social Collective, a local co-working space in downtown Dawson Creek, which the Project Management Office (PMO) was happy to support.
Approximately forty donors, community leaders and stakeholders joined members of the Foundation Board of Directors in an afternoon to celebrate the generosity of the community and meet the new Foundation Executive Director.
Those in attendance were treated to a presentation about the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Replacement Project from the project’s Community Engagement Liaison Officer, Ashley Pannozzo, and Northern Health Vice President, Communications & Public Relations, Steve Raper. The guests were very involved with the conversation and asked pertinent and insightful questions.
The DCDH Foundation’s Executive Director, Heather Kohler says “The Foundation was delighted to partner with Northern Health for this event which provided the opportunity for some of our most committed donors to engage with Northern Health in a valuable face-to-face setting.”
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Get your hands dirty at the new Dawson Creek Community Garden
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We are excited to share that we have relocated the Dawson Creek Community Garden and it is now open to the public!
The community garden was relocated from the Northwest corner of Northern Lights College's property in order to make space for the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital. The relocation project was done in collaboration with the Dawson Creek Community Garden Society, Northern Lights College, Stantec Inc., and Northern Legendary Construction Ltd. Construction began in June 2021 and was completed in September 2021. We maintained and transferred architectural features from the old garden including the entryway gate and the metal memorial bench.
The Dawson Creek Community Garden Society hosted their grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 18. Although it rained most of the morning, that didn’t damper the mood of those in attendance. The event started with speeches from Fern Hansen (President, Community Garden Society), Ashley Pannozzo (Community Engagement Liaison, DCDH Replacement Project), Katie MacLeod (Project Manager, Clark Builders), and Shaely Wilbur (Council Member, City of Dawson Creek). Following the speeches, attendees enjoyed cupcakes and a walk through the garden.
“This year, I’m looking forward to the community garden continuing to be well received and respected and for society members to continue to garden because we’re off to a fabulous start,” said Fern Hansen, President of the Dawson Creek Community Garden Society. “With the relocation, we’re so happy to have the new fence for protection, and the raised garden beds for easier access to gardening. They’re much more practical in terms of use, they look beautiful, and they’re easier to work with because you’re not crawling on the ground.”
Now that the community garden is officially open, citizens of Dawson Creek can get their hands dirty this planting season and grow locally, all while enjoying the company of fellow gardeners on the new site.
