A new long-term care home with more than 150 beds is coming to Campbell River, just west of North Island Hospital and next to Yucalta Lodge.
The three-storey facility on Second Avenue will feature 153 long-term care beds and go “one step further” to “address the significant need for more long-term care beds on Vancouver Island,” according to Health Minister Adrian Dix.
Long-term care communities provide care “for people with complex care needs who can no longer live safely and independently at home,” the government says.
It says the facility, with a 10-bed hospice unit, a 26-bed convalescent care unit and a 26-bed specialized population unit, will include two main buildings, each with “households” featuring single bedrooms and social spaces for up to 13 residents.
There will also be a standalone daycare facility and a hair salon, as well as space for activities, special events and an adult day program on site, reads a news release.
“By expanding the service to meet several other levels of care needs, we can ensure that people in the region will be supported in ways that they can live independently for as long as possible,” says Dix, “and for those who need long-term care service, this home will be there for them to continue to live happy, fulfilled lives closer to their community.”
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Dix, Premier David Eby, Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl, North Island MLA Michele Babchuck and other officials attended a special event last week to announce the facility.
“Council is excited that increased access to long-term care services is coming to Campbell River and that residents will benefit from this important and necessary facility in future years,” says Dahl in the release.
“This new long-term care home will bring much-needed services for seniors in the North Island,” added Babchuk, noting this “will give seniors, and their loved ones, peace of mind…”
The project is estimated to cost $134 million with funding from the provincial government through Island Health, which will build, own and operate the facility. The Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District is contributing $53.6 million.
Construction should wrap up in 2027.
Ethan Morneau
