Published 24 Jun 2010: Work starts on BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

A green roof will be among the sustainable features incorporated into the new full-service cancer centre in Prince George scheduled for a construction start this summer.

The 5,000 square metre building will also feature high efficiency lighting, heating and mechanical systems.

Nearly 660,000 board feet of locally sourced lumber will be used to construct the Centre for the North.

The BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North will service central and northern B.C. and is estimated to cost $69.9 million. It will be located adjacent to the University Hospital of the North in Prince George.

Vancouver-based Plenary Health was selected by the B.C. Cancer Agency to design, build, finance and maintain the cancer centre for 30 years.

The Prince George project represents Plenary’s first healthcare centre in the province, although it operates two hospitals and five other government facilities in public/private partnerships elsewhere in Canada and Australia.

The general contractor is PCL Contractors Westcoast Inc., based in Vancouver. The clinic is slated for completion in the fall of 2012 and will provide radiation therapy, chemotherapy and oncology support services for cancer patients.

Right now, people diagnosed with cancer have to travel to southern B.C. for treatment.

Efforts to create a cancer clinic for the region have been underway for more than five years.

The cancer centre will include first nation culture and art in its design along with relaxation spaces for cancer patients and their families and friends.

Mike Marasco, Plenary Health’s chief executive officer, anticipates a peak construction work force of 160 on the project. He predicted that it will be a great boost to the local economy with regional contractors participating in the project.