New, temporary, employee parking lot in front of hospital

Ultimately, parking at the new Mills Memorial Hospital will be double what’s available now, going from approximately 150 to 300 spaces.

In the meantime, however, as the project’s main contractor PCL and Northern Health delicately juggle building a new hospital while continuing to operate the current hospital on the same site, visitors will once again notice a change in parking.

The most recent changes include:

1. A new, temporary, employee-only parking lot has been added on Haugland Avenue, west of the main entrance.
   
   
2. The parking lot next to the psychiatric ward, just off Haugland Avenue, is no longer accessible.
   
   
3. Only authorized vehicles are now allowed in the parking area just beyond the emergency department. This means visitors can no longer park in that area nor drive through and exit onto Haugland Avenue.

Area close to emergency department now only open to authorized vehicles

These changes are necessary as construction of the new hospital continues and site prep work for the new Seven Sisters facility begins.

To alleviate the impact of these steps in the construction process, last summer, PCL built a temporary gravel parking lot with 70 new spots. This new lot adjacent to Tetrault Street, in between the current hospital and current Seven Sisters facility, has been in use since July 2021.

Thank you for adhering to all parking rules as we move forward with this exciting project!

Download a pdf of the July 2022 Quarterly Project Update.

CELEBRATING ONE YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION!

Where we’re at

In June, we celebrated a year of construction! Here’s a few numbers from work completed to date.

• Over 100,000 tonnes of rebar
• 63 different slabs poured with 17,000 cubic metres of concrete
• More than 80 local businesses secured work on the site (see full list on Let’s Talk MMH)

The project remains on schedule and on budget.

Where we’re going

Several exciting things will be happening before the end of the year.

• Both tower cranes will be coming down.
• Outside shell of the new hospital will be complete.
• Internal and external information sessions about the project will be offered.

Project completion

The project is expected to be complete in the summer of 2026. The “substantial completion” date, however, is scheduled for September 2024. Substantial completion is the point when Northern Health will take possession of the new hospital and continue work towards getting the facility ready for patient use. After that, the current facility will need be decommissioned and demolished, and the landscaping and parking will also need to be completed.

Note that capital projects are complicated and many variables can affect timelines and deliverables.

Go to Let’s Talk MMH for a downloadable pdf of the visual timeline.

NEW HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

New ambulance garage will increase patient comfort and care

Patients arriving at the new Mills Memorial Hospital by ambulance can expect a more comfortable and private experience as a result of a new, enclosed, drive-through ambulance garage.

At the current hospital, ambulances back into the emergency department lot behind the hospital. Patients are then transported out of the back of the ambulance, through the elements, into the main emergency entrance.

With the new garage, which has two bays, patients will be transferred in a fully enclosed, temperature-regulated space. Once the ambulance pulls into the garage, the doors will shut to protect patients and staff from the outdoors and weather, which can be extreme at times in Terrace. Patients will then be transported directly into the emergency department, far away from the main emergency entrance.

The new garage was designed to meet industry standards in consultation with BC Emergency Health Services, which oversees the BC Ambulance Service.

The new ambulance garage is on the northeast corner of the new hospital, near Keith Avenue.

What spaces will be available for families to visit and gather?

The new hospital has been designed with all types of patients and visitors in mind, including patients with large extended families, and patients with no family.

All rooms in the new facility will be private and allow families to gather comfortably and privately. Each room has its own bathroom and window, as well as visitor seating.

Several other spaces have also been placed throughout the facility. For example, family rooms, quiet rooms, and the TV lounge. This gives patients multiple places to go with their visitors other than their room. It also allows patients who may get lonely to have places to go and be around others.

The spiritual space on the first floor is also available for families to gather. The space has a large gathering room, as well as a small gathering room, a storage area, and a kitchenette. It also has technology in the larger room so that family members can join those in the room virtually.

Outside, several gardens with seating are also planned throughout the site.

PROJECT WORKING GROUPS

Engagement is a major part of Northern Health capital projects. We’ve engaged various stakeholders and partners in a variety of ways, sharing information and gathering input, as the project has developed and progressed.

A significant way we have received valuable input into the new hospital has been through both the MMH Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG) and MMH Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG).

The work of the IAWG and the CAWG informs the project to help ensure a facility that reflects and supports the communities served by Mills Memorial Hospital. Over the last few months, both groups have met several times with members of the MMH Replacement Project Team to provide feedback on a variety of topics. Aspects of the project that may be influenced by these groups include but are not limited to patient experience, culturally appropriate design, artwork, signage, and local considerations of interest that arise as we meet.

Input to date from both groups has been extremely valuable and we are tremendously grateful for the participation of the members.

Input from the CAWG and IAWG is filtered upwards. It first goes to the MMH Capital Advisory Committee. Then it goes to the MMH Project Steering Committee who, in collaboration with the Project Board, balances the complexities of a capital building project with the needs and wants of the local and regional communities and residents.

There is a lot going on behind the scenes in the construction of a new hospital, but a simplified version of reporting, when it comes to these groups, looks like the graphic on this page.

Both the IAWG and CAWG are schedule to meet next before the summer’s end.

Terms of reference for both working groups and the MMH Capital Advisory Committee can be found in the documents section of this website. Take a look to find out more info about the groups' purpose and membership:

• Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG) terms of reference
• Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG) terms of reference
• Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) terms of reference

MORE INFORMATION

Go to Let’s Talk MMH

Go to letstalk.northernhealth.ca/mmh for regular project updates, photos, videos and other relevant documents. Let’s Talk MMH is our one-stop shop for everything related to the Mills Memorial Hospital Replacement project. The site has regular project updates and is where you can provide feedback and thoughts on the project.

Get in touch

Got questions or feedback, or want your email added to our quarterly update distribution list? Email: letstalkMMH@northernhealth.ca

Sarah Artis, the project liaison for the Mills Memorial Hospital Replacement Project, will respond.

Check out the construction camera

The Mills Memorial construction camera is 24/7. The link to the camera is on Let’s Talk MMH and has downloadable progress photos and time lapse videos.

The photos below are from Saturday, July 2, 2022.

The top photo shows the new hospital construction. The white material you see on the first floor is insulation. The siding that will ultimately cover the outside of hospital will cover the insulation.

The bottom photo shows the future site of the new Seven Sister facility. This is the southwest corner of the site, to the west of the current hospital’s main entrance.

A significant way Northern Health receives valuable input into the new hospital has been through both the MMH Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG) and MMH Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG). The work of the IAWG and the CAWG informs the project to help ensure a facility that reflects and supports the communities served by Mills Memorial Hospital.

Aspects of the project that may be influenced by these groups include but are not limited to patient experience, culturally appropriate design, artwork, signage, and local considerations of interest that arise as we meet.

Over the last few months, both groups have met several times with members of the MMH Replacement project team to provide feedback on a variety of topics. The most recent meetings took place this past week, at the end of July.

Input to date from both groups has been extremely valuable and we are tremendously grateful for the participation of the members.

Input from the CAWG and IAWG is filtered upwards. It first goes to the MMH Capital Advisory Committee. Then it goes to the MMH Project Steering Committee who, in collaboration with the Project Board, balances the complexities of a capital building project with the needs and wants of the local and regional communities and residents.

There is a lot going on behind the scenes in the construction of a new hospital, but a simplified version of reporting, when it comes to these groups, looks like the graphic on this page.

Terms of reference for both working groups and the MMH Capital Advisory Committee can be found in the documents section of this website. Take a look to find out more info about the groups' purpose and membership:

• Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG) terms of reference
• Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG) terms of reference
• Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) terms of reference

Patients arriving at the new Mills Memorial Hospital by ambulance can expect a more comfortable and private experience as a result of a new, fully-enclosed, drive-through ambulance garage.

The new ambulance garage is on the northeast corner of the main floor of the new hospital, near Keith Avenue.

At the current hospital, ambulances back into the emergency department lot behind the hospital. Patients are then transported out of the back of the ambulance, through the elements, through the main emergency entrance.

With the new garage, which has two bays, patients will be transferred in a fully-enclosed, temperature-regulated space. Once the ambulance pulls into the garage, the doors will shut to protect patients and staff from the outdoors and weather, which can be extreme at different at times in Terrace. Patients will then be transported directly into the emergency department, far away from the main emergency entrance.

The new garage was designed to meet industry standards in consultation with BC Emergency Health Services, which oversees the BC Ambulance Service.

Ambulance parking area, behind the hospital next to the Emergency Department, at the current hospital.

View of ambulance entrance from inside current Mills Memorial Hospital.

The new facility has been designed with all types of patients and visitors in mind, including patients with large extended families, and patients with no family.

All rooms in the new hospital will be private and allow families to gather comfortably and privately. Each room has its own bathroom and window, as well as visitor seating.

Several other spaces have also been placed throughout the facility. For example, family rooms, quiet rooms, and the TV lounge. This lets patients have places to go with their visitors other than their room. It also allows patients who may get lonely to have places to go and be around others.

The spiritual space on the first floor is also available for families to gather. The space has a large gathering room, as well as a small gathering room, a storage area, and a kitchenette. It also has technology in the larger room so that family members can join those in the room virtually.

Outside, several gardens with seating are also planned throughout the site.

The Mills Memorial Hospital project has been voted 'best new development' in the Terrace Standard newspaper's 2022 Readers Choice Awards.

Thank you for your votes Terrace! We are as excited as you about the new hospital.

Staff and physicians at Mills Memorial Hospital were treated to cake on Wednesday, June 22, to celebrate one year of construction of the new hospital. The construction site was also unusually quiet over the lunch hour, as PCL treated workers on site to a catered meal from the popular Terrace food truck Redneck Kitchen, for the anniversary.

One of four cakes celebrating one year of project construction.

Longtime Northern Health employee Patrick Sharyk enjoys a slice.

Administrative Assistant Nicole Demedeiros serves a piece of the action to cafeteria worker Lora Gogag.

Workers on the new Mills Memorial Hospital construction site take a break to enjoy a free catered lunch, courtesy of PCL, celebrating one year of construction .

We understand people are looking for support when it comes to problematic substance use in the area, and Terrace does not currently have a dedicated treatment centre. However, this is not part of the MMH replacement project.

Hospitals mainly focus on acute care, which is care for short-term needs. A treatment centre does not fit into this environment.

Northern Health, however, and many other organizations including non-profits and community groups, do play a part in supporting those with substance use and mental health issues in Terrace and surrounding communities. Some groups, with Northern Health’s support, are taking steps to set up a local treatment centre.

At Mills Memorial Hospital, two in-patient treatment beds are prioritized for the medical management of withdrawal from alcohol. Two beds will be prioritized for this in the new hospital too. Patients experiencing withdrawal symptoms or who have overdosed can also access acute care at the Mills Memorial Hospital – now and at the new one.

If any patients who receive care at the hospital request information and access to harm reduction and treatment programs, staff will provide them with information and support individuals to access services.

People who are experiencing problematic substance use may also have concurrent mental health disorders. In some circumstances, if a person requires further stabilization and support for the treatment of an acute mental health presentation, following medical stabilization, admission to the acute psychiatry unit in Mills Memorial Hospital may be necessary for further assessment, consultation, and treatment.

Currently the hospital has 10 acute psychiatric inpatient adult beds that serve Northwest BC. The new hospital will have 20 psychiatric inpatient adult beds.

The current Seven Sisters facility has 20 beds. The new Seven Sisters will have 25 beds.

Recovery is a very personal journey and can look different for each person. A variety of supports and services are available in the area to support people experiencing problematic substance use. Northern Health teams focus on supporting people wherever they are at in their wellness journey.

Check out what the site looked like a year ago today, when construction had not even begun. What a difference!