A long-term care facility currently under construction to replace the aging Olive Devaud Residence is on track and expected to be finished by the end of the year, said Colin Palmer, chair of Powell River Regional Hospital District board.
Construction on the $26.5-million Willingdon Creek Village, which is located next to Powell River General Hospital, began in September 2013 and is slated to open in early 2015 with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) making a slow transition from Olive Devaud.
Palmer said he has been making regular visits to the building site during construction and regular reports to Powell River Regional District board.
The regional hospital district is financing the project, while VCH is the project manager and will run the facility once it is constructed.
Palmer said that with the exception of one unforeseen problem the project is on track.
As the site was being excavated, soil was piled up near the helicopter pad next to the hospital which created a hazard. Transport Canada was called and Lark Group, the project’s general contractor, was told that the pile needed to be moved, he said. Although budgets are tight for construction, Palmer said that a small contingency fund in the project’s budget can help cover problems as they come up.
While the number of beds in operation will initially remain at 81, Willingdon Creek Village will be constructed to accommodate an additional 21 beds.
“We will not only provide enough space for the Olive Devaud patients, but we will have up to 102 beds finished,” said Palmer, “but that will be the responsibility of VCH and government to find the money to pay for the nurses and the staff to look after the extra patients.”
According to VCH the extra beds will be phased-in over time in accordance with available operating budgets and community need.
The 102-bed replacement facility features an updated, modern design and offers efficiencies in housekeeping, laundry, nutritional services and facilities maintenance.
