It appears Burnaby Hospital has reached a critical point of its redevelopment.
The bones of the new facility are up, including the structural building and concrete pouring are finished — a major milestone in the $1.4-billion first phase.
Community leaders and dignitaries marked the occasion by signing a ceremonial beam on Dec. 15 in front of the structure off Kincaid Street.
"Our community came together in such a strong way by helping raise over $30 million to support Phase 1 of this redevelopment," said Kristy James, president and CEO of the Burnaby Hospital Foundation.
"I am certain that every one of our donors who contributed to this first step in our redevelopment is pleased to see the progress of the project."
The next step, according to a provincial government release, is finishing the six-storey building's exterior and interior.
However, the estimated completion is still set for 2025. Phase Two, worth roughly $1.7-billion for a 160-bed in-patient tower and integrated cancer centre, will begin shortly after with the entire project slated to be finished by 2030.
The new Burnaby Hospital pavilion, in roughly one year, will have maternity, neonatal intensive care, mental health in-patient and medical in-patient units.
As well, there will be an expansion and renovations to the hospital's existing Support Facilities Building, which will consist of the Jim Pattison Surgery Centre and the Burnaby Community Emergency Department, 10 new or upgraded state-of-the-art operating rooms, an upgraded emergency department and a new energy facility.
When all is complete, 399 new beds across the hospital's campus.
"It's exciting to see the progress as this project will support our ongoing work to strengthen health care in British Columbia and provide people in Burnaby and the surrounding communities improved access to care in a modern hospital," said health minister Adrian Dix.
The Burnaby Hospital redevelopment is being funded by the province, Burnaby Hospital Foundation, BC Cancer Foundation and several community donors.
For more information about the project, you can visit Fraser Health's website.
