Construction on the new $590 million hospital in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, is moving faster than expected, with the building now set to be finished by September 29, 2026. This date is two months ahead of the original November target for the facility, which will replace the current hospital that has served the region since 1960.
According to Northern Health, the building team from Graham Design-Builders recently confirmed the updated timeline. Once the building is finished in September, the health authority will begin a final phase of installing medical equipment and training staff to prepare for a public opening in early 2027.
The new facility is over 50 per cent larger than the existing one and will include 70 beds, each located in a single-patient room with its own bathroom. The project is being paid for by the provincial government and the Peace River Regional Hospital District.
Local residents are also contributing to the project through the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation, which is raising $3 million to bring a permanent MRI machine to the community. This campaign received a major boost from a $1.5 million donation from ARC Resources Ltd., helping ensure the new hospital has modern imaging technology.
The project team has also worked with the Treaty 8 First Nations to include culturally safe designs and local art throughout the building. Once the new hospital is fully running, the old building will be torn down to make room for future community needs.
