Campbell River’s mayor said the province’s deferral of a long-term care project in the city is “deeply disappointing.”
Mayor Kermit Dahl said the project was promised in 2023 and construction should have already begun, but now residents are being asked to wait despite a clear and growing need for long-term care in Campbell River.
Background: Province delays Campbell River long term care facility : My Campbell River Now
Dahl said the city has consistently pushed and advocated to the province for the long-term care project and that the need for such a facility in Campbell River will only intensify as the local population ages.
On Tuesday, the province announced seven long-term care projects would have the timing of their delivery adjusted to ensure cost efficiencies and to incorporate lessons learned from projects that are already underway.
Dahl said the city will continue to press the province to move the project forward.
See Dahl’s statement below:
“The deferral of the 153-bed long term care project is deeply disappointing for our community. This project was first talked about during the design phase of the current hospital, and was promised in 2023. By now, it should already be under construction. Instead, our residents are once again being asked to wait, despite the clear and growing need for long term care in Campbell River.
Over the past several years, the City of Campbell River has consistently pushed and advocated to the Province for this project because long term care beds are not a future concern — they are a critical need today, and that need will only intensify as our population continues to age. In January of 2025, there were 161 patients in beds in a hospital that has a 95-bed capacity. We will continue to press the Province to move this project forward and deliver the care our seniors deserve.”
