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Join us for an Open House!
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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!
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Subscribe to our NEW community newsletter
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We're launching a new community newsletter to give you exclusive updates about the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital project.
By subscribing to the quarterly newsletter, you'll receive project status updates, behind-the-scenes photos of construction progress, details about recent and upcoming community events, other exciting news and much more - right to your inbox!
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.
The next edition of the quarterly newsletter will be distributed on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Subscribe now by completing the form. 📩
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DCDH ranked #92 on 2024 Top100 Projects
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With an investment value of approximately $590 million, the DCDH project is ranked #92 on the list of the top 100 biggest infrastructure projects in the country.
The 2024 Top100 Canada's Biggest Infrastructure Projects Report is an annual report published by ReNew Canada, an infrastructure magazine that ranks and profiles the country’s largest public infrastructure projects.
Upon completion, the new hospital will be more than 25% bigger than the current facility – strengthening existing services and supporting increased access to care for all Northeast residents.
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What's going to happen to the current DCDH?
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Many residents have been wondering what will happen to the current Dawson Creek & District Hospital (DCDH) once the new hospital opens.Health care services will continue to be delivered at the current hospital while construction is underway on the new hospital – which is expected to be open, operational and ready for patients in 2027.
Now, why are we building a new hospital instead of redeveloping the current one?
The current DCDH was built in 1960 in accordance with clinical health care services and building code standards at the time. Since then, standards have continuously evolved and improved.
Recognizing these changes, the current hospital doesn’t align with current clinical and patient care standards and doesn’t comply with the current BC Building Code. These factors have an impact on patient and family experiences and the delivery of quality and efficient care.
There’s also more than what meets the eye when it comes to older buildings like the current DCDH. The infrastructure may appear to be in good standing, but it’s what you can’t see that contributes significantly to the need to replace the facility. The current facility has a poor Facility Condition Index, and its age causes deficiencies such as capacity constraints and functional issues.
The new hospital is going to be a brand-new state-of-the-art facility that is built in compliance with national clinical and patient care standards as well as current design and construction codes.
Northern Health will continue to upgrade equipment and assets in the current hospital to ensure that we’re providing quality health care. A significant amount of the newer equipment and assets that are in good working order will be moved into the new facility during the transition process.
We also acknowledge the tremendous community support over the past years through the Dawson Creek Hospital Foundation to support the purchasing of equipment required to provide health care services within the community.
Once the new hospital is open and operational, the current hospital will become inactive, be emptied out and then removed. The site will be cleared and turned back into developable land for future use.
We recognize that the DCDH has played a significant role in the lives of many residents over the past 60+ years. There are ample memories and stories to be shared about the current hospital and there will opportunities for you to share those with us in the future. Stay tuned for more information!
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Thank you to all of our partners!
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We thank and appreciate all of our partners who have helped make the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital a reality.
Logos included on the sign were received at time of print. We appreciate all of our partners whether they are or are not included on the sign.
From left to right, top to bottom: Blueberry River First Nations, Doig River First Nation, First Nations Health Authority, Fort Nelson First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, communities of Kelly Lake, Métis Nation British Columbia, Prophet River First Nation, Saulteau First Nations, Treaty 8 Tribal Association, West Moberly First Nations, BC Patient Safety & Quality Council/Patient Voices Network, City of Dawson Creek, Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation, District of Chetwynd, District of Tumbler Ridge, Graham Design Builders, HDR Architecture, Infrastructure BC, Northern Health, Northern Lights College, Peace River Regional District, South Peace Health Services Society.
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Shovels in the ground!
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It's official! Ground has been broken on the site of the new hospital. A small group gathered yesterday to dig the ceremonial hole and celebrate the start of construction, although they had a bit of help from the excavator.
Pictured from left to right: Bart DeVries (DCDH PMO), Kate Kustak (DCDH Foundation), Deb Taylor (DCDH PMO), Brette Madden (DCDH Foundation), John Kurjata (Northern Health Board of Directors), Maciej Paszkowski (Graham), Mayor Darcy Dober (City of Dawson Creek), Richard Bygrave (DCDH PMO), Director Leonard Hiebert (PRRHD), Nathan Salomon (DCDH PMO), Kendra Kiss (Northern Health), Dave Corcoran (Graham), Fern Hansen (DCDH Auxiliary), Margaret McGillis (Northern Health), Jennifer Dunn (DCDH PMO), Ramona Daly (DCDH PMO), and Ashley Pannozzo (DCDH PMO). 
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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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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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Peace River Regional District implementing a proactive tax adjustment to support the DCDH replacement project
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