In the last couple weeks, workers broke and removed the asphalt from the parking lot outside of the current Mills Memorial Hospital's psychiatric department. They also built up and leveled the ground in the area. This is all so that work on the new Seven Sisters' foundation can begin.
Seven Sisters is a regional mental health facility that provides long-term rehabilitation and recovery programs for adults living with serious and persistent mental illness. The redevelopment will allow more people to receive care in a larger space with additional amenities.
“The new Seven Sisters will ensure that when people in Northwestern BC need mental health support, they get timely, high-quality care close to home, which is crucial to their recovery,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “We are committed to continuing to build a strong healthcare service network in the region, which will help build resilient communities.”
“When people make the brave decision to reach out for mental health and substance use supports, it’s crucial that these supports are available no matter where they live,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “The new Seven Sisters in Northwestern BC will bring more treatment options to Northern communities, adding to the comprehensive and seamless continuum of mental health and addictions care our government is building for all British Columbians.”
Nearly twice the size
The new Seven Sisters will be nearly twice as big as the existing building and include 25 beds, which is an increase from the current 20. The new facility will also add treatment rooms, meeting spaces and recreational facilities. Patients will have access to abundant natural light and outdoor space.
"Seven Sisters is a valuable facility in Northwest BC A new building is key to serving the needs of vulnerable populations in our region," said Colleen Nyce, Chair, Northern Health Board. "The increase in the number of beds, the size of the facility, and the amenities in the facility will improve the quality of living and care for patients, and improve the ability for staff to give that care.”
Part of the MMH Replacement Project
The Seven Sisters project is part of the Mills Memorial Hospital Replacement project.
Both the new Seven Sisters and the new hospital are being built on the same site as the existing facilities. The new Seven Sisters will be on the southwestern corner of the site to the left of the existing hospital's main entrance.
The existing Seven Sisters facility will be demolished, and the site will be used for the new hospital.
"Seeing the new Mills Memorial Hospital construction progress so smoothly and so quickly over the past year has been very rewarding for the people in our region," said Barry Pages, Chair, North West Regional Hospital District. "Now, with the construction of a new Seven Sisters beginning, the people of Northwest BC have even more to look forward to."
The new mental health facility is expected to be complete in late fall 2023.
More info
- Go to the Mills Memorial Construction Cam link to check out progress on what will be the future hospital and new Seven Sisters. To see the new Seven Sisters site camera, select 'Mills Memorial Hospital 2' under location, on the left side of the page.
- Read the October 19, 2022, BC government news release ‘Construction starts on new mental health facility in Terrace’.
- Go to Let's Talk MMH for everything you want to know about the Mills Memorial Replacement project.
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