Only a year after government gave the green light to major upgrades to East Kootenay Regional Hospital’s (EKRH) intensive care unit and electrical system, construction has begun.

And today (May 16), an official project launch was held beside the works pit that will become a major new part of the regional facility.

“We knew this was a critical project for the entire East Kootenay region, so we made it happen,” said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. “It takes time, energy and devotion to move major improvements like this forward, and now people can actually see all that hard work paying off.”

Bennett noted how far regional health care has come since the difficult decisions to close facilities in Kimberley and Sparwood and downgrade others in the region were made a dozen years ago.

“The circle is closing now. People recognize we have really great community hospitals” as well as the EKRH, he said.

“This is a big day for everyone who made this project a reality. These upgrades to our regional hospital will improve the care we provide to patients from all of our East Kootenay communities,” added Interior Health board chair Norman Embree, represented at the worksite-side ceremony by board member David Goldsmith.

The new ICU unit will replace the current four-bed unit and feature two additional high-acuity beds, which will help relieve pressure on the intensive care unit.

The integrated design includes a 787-square-metre (approximately 8,470-square-feet) addition on the northeast side of the existing hospital. The size and design of the new ICU will provide better flow through the unit for physicians and staff, as well as providing additional privacy. The enhanced care environment for patients will feature integrated family spaces and maximized natural light.

“It is an honour to be part of a project that will not only improve services for patients and their families, but also enhance our health care capabilities in the region,” stated Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) Board Chair John Kettle. “It shows what can happen when different levels of government work together to pursue common goals. This is a proud day for us all.”

Kettle took time to recognize the contributions of MLA Bennett in helping make the project become a reality.

“Bill took the ball,” he said. “There wouldn’t be a hole there today if it wasn’t for Kootenay Bill Bennett,” he said, adding it took many more people than the Liberal government cabinet minister to bring the ICU goal to fruition.

“Everybody fit the puzzle together,” he said, from the province to Interior Health to the KERHD to funding organizations region-wide.

Kettle pointed out that regional taxpayers are not being hit any harder than usual in order to fund the estimated $20-million project.

“We did not raise a single dime of taxation,” he said.

The province is funding $11.93 million, the KERHD is contributing $7.95 million, and the East Kootenay Foundation for Health is contributing $120,000.

“It is always rewarding for the Foundation to see the generous contributions of our donors turning into something concrete and real for the patients and caregivers we support,” said Brian Clifford, Foundation Chair. “We are honoured to be part of this exciting occasion.”

Dr. Lawrence Jewett, EKRH and regional chief of staff, also took a moment to recognize Bennett and other project backers.

“Our MLA and other important partners have allowed us to make many major improvements to our regional centre’s Ambulatory Care, MRI, Digital Mammography and Emergency Department over the last decade and this new intensive care unit will be the cement that holds everything together. A new ICU will reduce some of the need to transport critical heart and stroke patients outside the region for care and will be a great support to our recruitment of specialist physicians to Cranbrook,” he said.

Talk of a regional hospital began in 1980, Jewett told a gathering of about 40 Interior Health, EKRH, provincial and regional government officials this morning in Cranbrook.

“It’s a dream,” he said of the facility finally being expanded.

Along with a new ICU, the project also includes a significant electrical upgrade at the facility. The new electrical system will improve the power supply to the entire hospital, optimize the electrical system performance and allow capacity to expand for future power needs. The electrical infrastructure will be located in the basement of the new addition.

Lark Projects Ltd. is the contractor overseeing the project, with full project completion anticipated for mid-2016.

Lead image: A big thumbs up to the start of an integral piece to regional health care today by KERHD board chair John Kettle, EKRH manager of critical services Chris Shumka, Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett and EKRH chief of staff Dr. Lawrence Jewett. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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