Delta Foundation Seeks Clarity on Future of Long-Term Care Centre

The Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation is requesting clarity from Premier David Eby regarding the future of the long-term care centre currently under construction to replace the aging Mountain View Manor. This facility, partially funded by the foundation, is one of seven long-term care centres in British Columbia facing uncertainty following the provincial budget announcement on February 17, 2023. The budget did not specify a completion year for the Delta project or others planned in various locations, including Abbotsford, Campbell River, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Fort St. John, and Squamish.

The provincial budget indicated that the government is “adjusting the timing of delivery” for these projects to integrate lessons from ongoing developments and a review of the long-term care infrastructure program. On February 23, Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation released a letter signed by board chair Andrew Jackson and CEO Lisa Hoglund, asking for clarification about the construction timeline in light of last week’s budget changes.

In their letter, Jackson and Hoglund highlighted that early site work is “well on its way,” with $15 million already invested in the project. The anticipated capital costs for the Beedie Long Term Care Centre—a 200-bed facility that will also include a 32-space adult day program and a 49-space child care facility—are being covered by a total of $179.7 million from the Ministry of Health, along with $18.25 million raised through the foundation’s “Coming Home” campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the organization’s history.

Jackson and Hoglund emphasized the growing urgency of the project, stating that “the people of Delta, especially seniors and families, are depending on its timely delivery.” The letter further noted that community support has been robust, with donors committing over $18 million specifically for the long-term care project.

They requested Eby to provide updated information regarding the current status and next steps for the long-term care centre. “Our donors, stakeholders and community members are eager for assurance that this essential project remains on track,” the letter stated. The foundation’s leaders stressed that the Delta Hospital Campus of Care serves Delta and Tsawwassen First Nations, along with surrounding communities, and highlighted the increasing reliance on local health services.

The Reporter reached out to the Ministry of Health for insights into the project’s status, and the inquiry was directed to the Ministry of Infrastructure. An emailed statement from Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure, acknowledged the concerns of community members regarding the revised timelines for the long-term care home.

“Like other governments across Canada, we are facing fiscal pressures that require careful choices to protect the services people rely on and maintain long-term stability,” Ma stated. She mentioned that construction costs have escalated significantly, with estimates reaching $1.8 million per bed.

“We cannot deliver new beds at the scale that they are required when taxpayers are paying these kinds of rates to build a single room in a facility,” Ma explained. She assured residents that the project remains a priority and that adjustments in the delivery timeline are necessary for sustainable development.

Ma also noted the need for more long-term care beds and mentioned that her ministry is exploring new approaches, including standard design guidelines and modular construction options, to deliver high-quality facilities more efficiently. “We need to take some time to do this important work and that’s why we’re adjusting the timing of delivery,” she stated.

In response to inquiries about potential changes to the project’s budget or scope, the Ministry of Infrastructure stated that it is collaborating with Fraser Health to determine next steps and will provide additional information when available.

Last week’s budget announcement marks the second time in five months that the government has postponed the estimated completion date for the Beedie Long Term Care Centre. In mid-September 2022, Finance Minister Brenda Bailey indicated that the completion date would shift from 2027 to 2028 to align with a revised project schedule. Early work had commenced at the site, with $4 million spent by June 30, 2022.

Mountain View Manor, which opened in 1977, currently accommodates 92 residents. The new facility aims to more than double capacity and provide a modern, home-like environment with small “households” designed for 12 to 13 residents, each with individual rooms and bathrooms. The facility will also include communal spaces typically found in homes, such as living and dining areas, and will provide services for residents, families, and staff, including art rooms and a hair salon.

The adult day program is set to be named in recognition of a $3 million donation from the Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society—one of the largest contributions ever made by a hospital auxiliary in British Columbia. The Beedie Long Term Care Centre is being constructed on vacant land owned by Fraser Health, adjacent to Delta Hospital. Initially, the project was expected to be completed by 2027.