The Government of British Columbia has approved the business plan for the BC Cancer Centre at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops.
The project’s budget is approximately $359 million shared between the provincial government, Interior Health and the Thompson Regional Hospital District.
“Approval of the business plan is a critical milestone for this crucial project. This state-of-the-art cancer centre will benefit patients in Kamloops and the surrounding area by offering the confidence from knowing that we’re building treatment capacity for now and the future,” said B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix.
The five-storey facility will be built on the Westlands site on the RIH campus with space for radiation treatment, radiation-therapy planning, including a CT Simulator, an outpatient ambulatory-care unit, including 10 exam rooms, and two consultation rooms for radiation-therapy service, an additional MRI suite, and patient arrival and check-in areas. The centre will have three linear accelerator vaults. These heavy, concrete structures contain radiation equipment used for cancer-patient treatment.
In collaboration with Indigenous partners, there will also be a sacred space for patients, caregivers and staff, with features to support traditional ceremonies. A new 470-stall parkade will also be constructed as a part of the centre.
“Delivering expanded, comprehensive cancer care in Kamloops is one of our top priorities for the upcoming years. Heading into the procurement process, and subsequently, construction, we look forward to engaging with local communities, patients, families and Indigenous partners to ensure the delivery of high-quality, culturally safe cancer care for people across the region,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health.
The procurement process is underway. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and complete in 2028.
