White Rock Proposes 20-Storey Medical Tower to Enhance Services

The Peace Arch Hospital Foundation has put forth a proposal to the White Rock City Council for a new medical building that could reach up to 20 storeys. The planned facility will be located on Lot D, a 1.1-acre site currently used for parking, directly across from the emergency department entrance of the Peace Arch Hospital. The Foundation aims to secure council approval for rezoning, which is necessary for further discussions with the Ministry of Health and Fraser Health regarding funding.

On September 15, 2023, Foundation chair Stephanie Beck presented preliminary plans to the council, accompanied by Neil Yarmoshuk, board chair of the Foundation, and Marion LaRue, a partner at the architectural firm DIALOG B.C., engaged to assist with the design. Beck expressed the hope that the building could be completed within the next decade, pending necessary approvals.

Proposed Features and Community Impact

The proposed building is intended to enhance hospital services rather than provide housing. Beck emphasized the Foundation’s vision for expanding medical care on the Peace Arch Hospital campus, stating, “Despite rapid growth, White Rock and South Surrey have seen little investment from the Ministry of Health, leaving services stretched and families waiting.” The tower is envisioned to include a modern ambulatory care centre, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, and same-day procedures, which would help keep patients closer to home and reduce hospital admissions.

The design considerations include two options for the building’s height: 15 storeys or 20 storeys. Each floor is planned to have higher ceilings than typical residential buildings to accommodate hospital functions. The Foundation is currently in discussions with Fraser Health and Simon Fraser University’s new School of Family Medicine to bring this vision to fruition.

LaRue highlighted that the property is currently zoned for a maximum height of 10.7 metres, but the proposed building’s scale aligns with existing structures in the area. Nearby developments include the Altus residential project, which stands at 15 storeys. A 20-storey building could provide up to 428,000 square feet of medical space, while a 15-storey option would offer 357,000 square feet.

Community Support and Next Steps

Yarmoshuk summarized the Foundation’s request as a need for a medical-use building on Lot D, with a height allowance of up to 90 metres as specified in the new Official Community Plan. Council member Christopher Trevelyan expressed strong support for the initiative, stating, “We hear concerns all the time about infrastructure, and it’s very rare to be able to add infrastructure to our community.”

The City Planning Director, Anne Berry, noted that while the lot is designated within the “town centre transition” area of the Official Community Plan, it has been identified in the North Bluff Corridor study as suitable for institutional use. Specific height allowances for the site have yet to be established.

The Foundation is now awaiting the council’s decision on the rezoning request, which will pave the way for further negotiations regarding funding and development of this significant community health project.