A new Vancouver care centre for children living with complex health issues is closer to reality.
The facility will be a "first-of-its-kind centre in Canada" according to BC Children's Hospital, focusing specifically on children who need a range of health-care services and other supports.
"The new centre will coordinate care by a multi-disciplinary team through a single point of contact; assist families in navigating a complex system of services; train families, caregivers and community care providers to comprehensively support their child in their home community; and leverage research and innovation to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for children and youth living with health complexity and their families," states an application for the project.
A rezoning application for the project shows what is planned for the centre. It will be located at the former Sunny Hill Health Centre at Slocan Street and East 21 Avenue (which was moved to the BC Children’s Hospital campus in 2020). The Sunny Hill complex will be demolished in advance of the construction of the new centre.
The new centre will be four storeys with almost 110,000 sq. ft. of space (along with a mechanical room penthouse); the proponents note the goal is to create a space that is culturally sensitive and exudes welcoming. Easy access to and views of the outside world is also important. Sloping floors will be used to transition from one level to the next in some cases.
The plan is for the facility to meet LEED gold standards.
A third-party operated daycare with 74 spaces for children will be included as well, but in a separate building (which should hit LEED Gold and Passive House certification).
"The desire for a calming, welcoming, and safe environment for children and youth living with health complexity and their families and a busy, noisy daycare were seen to be incompatible," notes the application.
The expectation is for the facility to open in 2028. A budget has not been released yet.
Some existing buildings on the site will stay in place, like the Children's Hearing and Speech Centre of BC. A large stand of trees will be mostly left alone, as well.
