Northern Health has released details about the staff amenities included in the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital, highlighting dedicated lounges, day-use locker rooms, and a secure outdoor garden designed to help recruit and retain healthcare workers in the Peace Region. The $590 million facility is on track to open in Spring 2027, with substantial completion set for September 29, 2026, two months ahead of schedule.
According to a staff amenities update from Northern Health, the new hospital will feature staff lounges equipped with microwaves, fridges, and dishwashers, along with day-use locker rooms and a dedicated outdoor staff garden that includes seating, bike racks, and covered areas.
“Staff wellbeing was a key priority while designing the new hospital,” the update states. “Every effort was made to create inviting, comfortable, and restorative spaces that support the health care professionals who serve our community each day.”
The focus on staff amenities comes as Northern Health continues to address recruitment and retention challenges across northern BC. The health authority has added 900 net new employees, including 450 nurses, but emergency department closures and service interruptions have persisted in communities like Dawson Creek and Chetwynd.
To attract more workers, Northern Health offers a Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive of up to $30,000 for eligible positions, with a two-year return-of-service requirement. Eligible employees must sign their contract and begin work by September 30, 2026.
The new hospital will be 24,500 square metres with 70 beds, up from 46 in the current facility. It will include an expanded emergency department with 15 treatment spaces and increased mental health beds. The project is being built by Graham Design Builders with funding from the provincial government and the Peace River Regional Hospital District.
