Ground has been broken on the $606.2-million North Island Hospitals Project, which will see new hospitals for both Campbell River and the Comox Valley.

The new 39,800 square-metre (approximately 428,400 square-foot) Comox Valley Hospital will have 153 beds, replacing the 120-bed St. Joseph’s General Hospital. The new 32,300 square-metre (approximately 347,700 square- foot) Campbell River Hospital will have 95 beds, replacing the existing 79-bed Campbell River Hospital.

The two hospitals will deliver patient-centered health care to families living on north and mid-Vancouver Island. Both hospitals will be constructed at the same time and be ready for patients by late 2017.

The North Island Hospitals Project is a public-private partnership between Island Health and Tandem Health Partners.