Saturday, April 19, 2025
Work is underway to prepare the Burnaby Hospital campus for construction, as the Cascade building is currently in the process of being taken down to clear a path for redevelopment to begin at the site.
The building’s removal is expected to complete in March 2022, and will make way for phase one redevelopment activity/construction staging as well as the proposed future phase two patient tower and cancer centre.
“As part of our commitment to build and expand health care services, I’m pleased to mark this important step forward in phase one of the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment,” said Adrian Dix, B.C.’s Minister of Health. “This new, modernized health care campus will increase access to health care services for people in Burnaby for decades to come.”
Phase one of the redevelopment includes the new Keith and Betty Beedie Pavilion, expansion of the Support Facilities Building to include a new energy centre, and renovations to existing buildings on campus.
“I’m excited to mark this pivotal next step forward for a new, state-of-the-art health care campus that by design will be patient-centred,” said Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO, Fraser Health. “Throughout the pandemic and with historical challenges such as Burnaby Hospital fire, our teams have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and care for our patients, families and communities. I am pleased that the new health care campus will support our staff, medical staff, trainees and volunteers to deliver exceptional care experiences.”
Once complete, phase 1 will provide improved access to emergency, surgery, maternity, and mental health and substance use services. Construction is expected to begin in early 2022 and completed in 2026.
“This is an exciting time for Burnaby residents,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “For years, the exceptional staff at the Burnaby Hospital have provided top-of-the-line care to our community. The Burnaby Hospital redevelopment project will ensure health care staff can continue to provide excellent care for our growing community.”
Taking learnings from COVID-19, the hospital redevelopment will also be designed with enhanced features in place to respond to future pandemics, including outbreak control zones, vestibules for putting on and taking off personal protective equipment, and airborne isolation rooms.
With funding from the Province and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, phase one of the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment will cost approximately $612 million.
“The community came together to build our hospital nearly 70 years ago. Now, after a year of setbacks, including the Cascade building fire last November, we are thrilled to be one step closer in seeing Burnaby Hospital’s Bright Future. This small step is the first of many and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Kristy James, chief executive officer, Burnaby Hospital Foundation.
Featured image: (Fraser Health)
