As the City of Cranbrook launches its Budget 2027 Citizen Survey, the Cranbrook Kimberley Hospice Society is providing additional information to help residents understand the needs and considerations involved in selecting a location for a future Hospice House for the East Kootenay.

As part of the broader city survey, residents will be asked for their input on five potential city-owned locations for the proposed Hospice House.

The society’s vision is to establish a dedicated, 10-bed Hospice House for the East Kootenay, providing compassionate, 24/7 end-of-life care in a peaceful, home-like environment.

“We know there is significant community interest in where a future Hospice House could be located, and we want to ensure people have clear information about what the project requires and the work that has been done to date,” said George Watson, Board Chair, Cranbrook Kimberley Hospice Society.

“Our focus is on finding a location that will allow us to create a Hospice House that can serve individuals and families across the East Kootenay for generations to come.”

The city has identified five city-owned properties for consideration. As part of its ongoing planning, the Hospice House Steering Committee has considered each property and how it could support the vision for a future Hospice House.

Important considerations include accessibility, a peaceful environment for patients and families, sufficient space, servicing and development potential, and applicable healthcare and building requirements.

Based on the information available and the society’s work to date, two of the five city-owned properties remain viable from the society’s perspective: the Mount Baker RV Campground (pictured above) property and the Highlands property (right).

“A great deal of work has gone into understanding what a dedicated Hospice House requires and considering the opportunities available to us,” said Gregory Sternig, Chair of the Hospice House Steering Committee.

“Our responsibility is to help find a site that can support the vision for the Hospice House and the needs of the individuals and families it will serve, now and into the future.”

The society is grateful to the City of Cranbrook for its consideration of the Hospice House project and for identifying potential properties that could help move this important community initiative forward. No final site has been selected, and the society’s search is not limited to the properties currently being considered by the city.

The society remains open to other potential sites and welcomes conversations with individuals or organizations who may know of a suitable property or be interested in discussing a potential land donation.

Securing an appropriate property is an important milestone, but it is one part of a larger process that will include detailed planning and design, approvals, continued work with Interior Health Authority, fundraising, and ultimately construction.

The society has published a Letter to the Community with additional information about the proposed Hospice House, site requirements, and site-selection process at www.ckhospice.ca.

Individuals interested in discussing potential properties, land donations, or other opportunities can contact the society at [email protected] or 250-417-2019.

Cranbrook Kimberley Hospice Society

Article Share