Construction has begun on a new BC Cancer Centre in Kamloops that will provide people in the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap region with better access to cancer care closer to home.

“This new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops is the single largest capital investment into the expansion of cancer care in the Kamloops region,” said Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma. “By building a facility equipped with the latest technology designed to meet the growing treatment needs of patients in the area, we’re helping more people have access to high-quality cancer care closer to home. This project is part of our broader commitment to strengthening health-care infrastructure across the province.”

The centre is being built at the Westlands site at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. EllisDon Corporation has been selected to lead construction. Thinkspace Architecture Planning Interior Design is providing the design.

Chemotherapy is available at Royal Inland’s community oncology network clinic in Kamloops. Currently, patients travel to Kelowna or the Lower Mainland for radiation treatment. At the new centre, radiation treatment will be provided in shielded treatment rooms with three high-energy radiation treatment linear accelerators (LINACS).

Once the cancer centre opens to patients in 2028, it is expected to host 7,500 patient radiation consults and follow-up appointments annually. In its opening year, the centre is expected to provide approximately 16,500 treatments for up to 1,200 patients. This will save patients and their families time, stress and the burden of long-distance travel during care.

The new BC Cancer centre will include:

• radiation therapy planning including a computerized tomography scan (CT) simulator;
• diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• an outpatient oncology ambulatory care unit, including exam rooms and consult rooms;
• an interfaith sacred space for for patients, caregivers and staff to recuperate and recharge;
• staff support, including offices and workstations; and
  a 470-stall parkade.

The project also includes expansion and upgrades to Royal Inland’s community oncology clinic and pharmacy.