On-site accommodations for health professionals and hospital patient family members will open by next summer at the Campbell River Hospital.
It will be called the Just Like Home Lodge. It’s an expansion of a service the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) and Campbell River Hospital Foundation have been providing since 2019, giving family members of patients a temporary place to stay.
“This project reflects the SRD board’s dedication to community well-being and our commitment to enhancing healthcare access and housing options for our medical professionals,” said SRD board chair, Mark Baker. “The expanded facility will offer a safe, supportive environment for patients and their families while also meeting the urgent need for workforce housing.”
For travelers, the expanded facility will include 10 independent rooms with a communal living space, shared kitchen, day room facilities and laundry facilities.
For doctors and nurses, there will be 20 fully self-contained Bachelor, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites, each equipped with in-house laundry, with some featuring private balconies.
The regional district and hospital foundation are partnering with Broadstreet Properties’ owners the Mailman family to have the lodge open by next summer.
“We are honoured to be part of such a meaningful project that will make a real difference in the lives of patients and healthcare workers in our region,” said Kris Mailman, CEO of Broadstreet Properties Ltd./Seymour Pacific Homes, “Our family has always been deeply committed to supporting our communities, and we are excited to bring this vision to life, creating a space that fosters comfort, support, and well-being.”
The Campbell River Hospital Foundation has so far raised $1.9 million towards the project, and aims to raise a total of $2 million.
Meanwhile the city is working to change the zoning at the hospital complex to allow the project to go ahead.
Council will consider first, second, and third readings of the zoning amendment at 6 p.m. on April 10, 2025, in Council Chambers at 301 St. Ann’s Road.
Visit the Just Like Home Lodge project page for more details, including artistic renderings of what the buildings may look like. It also includes information about how you can make a donation to help.
