Royal Columbian Hospital is set to embark on the largest hospital redevelopment in British Columbia in the coming years.
Hal Collier, project director at Royal Columbian Hospital, said Fraser Health has presented a concept plan to the provincial government and is now working on Phase 1 of its business case. He said the project is in the "very early" stages and is considering four options of redevelopment for the site.
"We expect to finish our business case by December and then submit it for review and approval," he said. "I can't really put dates on the next phases because I don't really know how long the approval process will take. It often takes quite a while because there's usually a lot of back and forth and questions."
Collier doesn't think anything will begin to physically take place on the Sapperton site for at least one-and-a-half to two years. Components of the project include a new mental health facility, new parking capacity and a new acute care tower.
The acute care tower would represent a "significant increase" in the services provided at Royal Columbian Hospital, Collier said.
"We are expecting the number of beds to go from about 400, which is where it is now, to about 700 beds," he said. "It's about a 75 per cent increase in the capacity at the hospital. It is a significant change in the way the hospital works."
According to Collier, existing buildings would stay in place until replacement buildings are constructed. At that point, existing buildings would be demolished.
"We have four different options we are analyzing through the fall to achieve those goals," he said. "It's different combinations."
Collier said the project would include the creation of a new mental health facility, as the current Sherbrooke building is "totally inappropriate" for mental health services.
In addition to building new hospital facilities and increasing the site's parking capacity the project would also require the helipad to move. Royal Columbian Hospital is home to the busiest hospital helipad in B.C.
The project would also see the creation of a "real front door" to the health-care campus.
"Access to the site is really unfortunate," Collier said about the current entrance. "A lot of people come to the emergency room. ... It's terrible."
Collier said Fraser Health is taking a "very collaborative" approach to the hospital redevelopment.
"It's really important for us to make sure we have the connections to our community, our neighbours and our partners here," he said. "For instance, when we get to the community engagement and urban design, it's critical that the campus, as we develop, it fits into the neighbourhood.
We have to make sure the impact of the increased services and staff and transportation around the site is accounted for and taken care of so it doesn't disrupt the neighbourhood."
Coun. Jonathan Cote believes it's important that the hospital "interface" well with the neighbourhood, as institutions often tend to stand out and be sterile.
Collier said that's something that Fraser Health is thinking about as it develops master plan for the site.
"We have been your neighbour for 150 years now," he said. "We need to take the long-term view of these things."
Coun. Betty McIntosh noted that construction crews are currently working on renovations to Royal Columbian Hospital.
Collier said that work is separate from the redevelopment project now being planned, but is work that's required to keep the hospital functioning properly.
"It's quite long," he said about the timeline for the redevelopment project. "It's in the 10-to 15-year."
Members of New Westminster city council were thrilled to hear progress is being made for the redevelopment project.
"It's not just another building," said Coun. Jaimie McEvoy, "it looks like a complete overhaul."
Cote said the project is an issue that is important to the community and the city, as it's the largest employer in New Westminster.
"This is very exciting," said Coun. Bill Harper. "It is something we have been waiting for for some time."
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