University Hospital of Northern British Columbia - Acute Care Tower

Check out the latest pictures below to see our progress! 📸

The parkade will feature 9 levels, and this week, we successfully poured the first quadrant of Level 4. 🏗️

Read our full post about the construction of the parkade here.

Be sure to check back here for weekly updates and drop any questions you have in the comments.

Take a moment to explore the photos below for a behind the scenes look at the construction of the UHNBC parkade. This project is set to be completed by fall 2025, promising enhanced access and convenience for everyone visiting the hospital.

The view of the construction site from the top of the crane, sometimes called "T Crane" by Prince George residents.

Construction is underway on the latest level of the parkade. We're currently on level 3 out of 9!

Underneath the most recently poured level of the parkade, where supports hold the concrete in place as it dries.

Be sure to check back here for weekly updates and drop any questions you have in the comments!

To make room for the new acute care tower at UHNBC, we're relocating the services currently offered at the Northern Interior Health Unit (NIHU). This move will keep services close to the hospital, bring related services together, and boost parking availability.

When's the move?
Spring 2026! We're working hard to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption.

What's happening to the old building?
The current NIHU building will be demolished in summer 2026 to make way for the new tower, which will offer state-of-the-art facilities for patients and healthcare professionals.

Where are the services going?
The new home for NIHU services will be Parkwood Mall:

• China Cup Buffet unit: The Mental Health Rehabilitation team, the Community Acute Stabilization team, the Community Outreach and Assertive Services team, and the Adult Addictions Day Treatment Program team.
• The Bay (second floor): The Interprofessional Community teams, the Preventative and Public Health team, the Child and Youth Services teams, the Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults team, and the team from the John G. Mackenzie Family Practice Centre.

Parking Perks!
More parking at Parkwood Mall and a new 471-stall parkade next to the BC Cancer Centre for the North will make parking much more accessible.

Team Integration
The John G. Mackenzie Family Practice team is moving too! Their current building will be repurposed as the Project Management Office for the acute care tower project. They'll integrate with one of the Interprofessional Community teams on the second floor of The Bay, improving patient care through teamwork.

We appreciate your support during this transition. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below!

We're thrilled to introduce the leadership team behind the expansion at the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC).

What makes this project special is our alliance model, bringing together the owner, designers, and contractors as one team. This collaborative approach ensures everyone is invested in the project's success.

Now, let's meet the visionary leaders driving this initiative forward...

Left: Sunil Kanamala, Chief Project Officer Right: Sherri Tillotson, Chief Clinical Planning Officer

Meet Sunil Kanamala, Chief Project Officer for the UHNBC Acute Care Tower Project. Sunil is an experienced engineer with over 35 years in planning, design, and managing construction projects. He joined Northern Health in 2022 to lead the Capital Planning & Development Department.

Experience: Sunil has worked in various sectors, including transit, infrastructure, academia, and healthcare. His expertise in managing complex projects ensures they are completed on time and within budget.

Contributions: Sunil's skills in project management and IT have significantly advanced the UHNBC tower project. His ability to integrate different disciplines and his dedication to excellence make him a vital part of the team.

Meet Sherri Tillotson, Chief Clinical Planning Officer for the UHNBC Acute Care Tower Project. Sherri has been a key figure at Northern Health since 2012, bringing her expertise in clinical operations and capital planning.

Experience: Sherri is known for her collaborative leadership and strong partnerships with government and municipal partners. She has over a decade of experience in clinical operations and capital planning, holding various leadership roles at UHNBC, including:

• 2022-2024: Senior Operating Officer, UHNBC/Prince George
• 2018-2022: Director, Regional Tertiary Services/UHNBC Clinical Supports

Contributions: Sherri has been crucial in planning the new UHNBC tower, integrating clinical needs into capital planning for better healthcare delivery. Her strategic vision and collaborative approach make her a key contributor to the project.

Sherri moved to Prince George in 2005 for a Master's program and has stayed for 20 years, showing her love for the community through her advocacy.

Stay tuned for more team highlights and be sure to drop any questions you have in the comments!

The first phase of the acute care tower project includes building a 471-stall parkade. This addition is important to ensure we have enough parking for both staff and patients as the project moves forward, and we have made some great progress so far.

When construction ends in fall 2025, the parkade will have:

• 188,000 gross square feet of building area: Enough space to fit approximately 1.3 Charles Jago Northern Sport Centres (UNBC).
• 8,200 m³ of concrete: Imagine filling about 1,154,286 Extra Large Tim Hortons coffee cups with concrete.
• 32,000 m² of concrete formwork: This could cover the entire surface area of the ice rink at CN Centre in Prince George about 50 times.
• 1,000,000 kg of reinforcing steel: That's about the same weight as 5,195 Canadian black bears!
• 240 m of new electrical duct bank: Equivalent to the length of 4 of Canada's Longest Fishing Rods (located in Houston, BC).
• 432,000-liter storm tank: This tank could hold about 432,000 standard grocery store jugs of maple syrup.
• 22 Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles: Laid end to end this would stretch about the length of 85 Canadian moose lined up in a row.
• 57,000 hours worked (as of January 31): That's like watching 22,800 Prince George Cougars hockey games (including Zamboni time).

Don't forget to check back here for updates and drop any questions you have in the comments!

Exciting news! Access to the BC Cancer Centre for the North via Lethbridge Street has been restored. To show our appreciation for the incredible patience and understanding of BC Cancer staff and patients during parkade construction, we offered complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks in the lobby on March 5th.

BC Cancer Centre staff enjoying a coffee and breakfast.

The first phase of the acute care tower project includes building a 471-stall parkade next to the BC Cancer Centre for the North. The parkade is anticipated to be completed in fall 2025.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward and be sure to drop any questions you have in the comments!

Watch the construction of our 471-stall parkade next to the BC Cancer Centre for the North come to life! You can watch the entire construction process from April 2024 to February 2025 unfold through our timelapse below.

Stay in the loop with live updates by visiting our Let’s Talk site. Navigate to the ‘highlights’ section to see real-time progress and developments.

The parkade is set to be completed by fall 2025. Don’t miss out on this exciting transformation!

Big changes are coming to the Northern Interior Health Unit (NIHU) as we prepare for the construction of the new acute care tower on the current NIHU site. This development marks a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare services for our community.

Relocating Services
To make way for the new tower, we will be relocating the services currently offered at the NIHU. The relocation is expected to take place in the spring of 2026, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal disruption to services.

Demolition and Construction
Following the relocation, the existing NIHU building will be demolished in the summer of 2026. This demolition is a crucial part of our plan to create space for the new, state-of-the-art tower that will enhance our healthcare capabilities and provide improved facilities for both patients and healthcare professionals.

We are committed to keeping the community informed and engaged throughout this process. Regular updates will be provided on our Let’s Talk site, where you can find the latest information and progress reports. We are excited about the future and the positive impact this project will have on healthcare in the North.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward and be sure to drop any questions you have in the comments!