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March 14, 2012
Site preparation for the construction of a new health centre in Oceanside is well underway, creating employment and supporting the local economy.
“It’s exciting to see development getting underway for this important and exciting care facility,” said Ron Cantelon, MLA Parkville Qualicum. “Not only will this project create local construction jobs during the building phase, but in the longer term, it will continue to support long-term, stable and well-paid jobs for health care providers.”
There are currently about 10 local individuals working at the Oceanside Health Centre (OHC) project. Since the OHC was announced on January 25, 2012 as part of the site preparation, close to 100 trucks of soil have been transported to a local farm for screening to remove wood fibre, roots and rocks so the soil can be reused.
The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) has created a specific web page (www.viha.ca/about_viha/building_for_health/oceanside.htm) with information about the Oceanside Health Centre, including the health care services that will be provided, the model of care that will be offered as well as detailed information about floor plans and site specifications.
“Throughout the construction of this facility, we are committed to sustainable processes including re-using materials wherever we can.” said Rudi Van den Broek, General Manager, Special Projects, VIHA. “We have selected some prime specimens of cedar and fir logs from the site that will be milled locally to create lumber to be re-used in the building for architectural and landscape elements.”
“The building will be constructed to LEED standards,” added Stephen Miller, Project Manager, Lark Group – the construction company building the OHC on behalf of VIHA. “The wood fibre from stumps and tree branches on the site is being fully composted by a local entrepreneur who is combining it with fish waste and soil to make quality top soils and fertilizer.”
Over the next few weeks, excavation will continue with the removal of a remaining 200 truckloads of topsoil and about 800 to 1000 loads of gravel and clay. The project will be running three excavators daily for several weeks.
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Media Contact:
Suzanne Germain
VIHA Communications
250-370-8270 |
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