A summertime tradition: connecting with future neighbours
Posted On: Friday September 20, 2024Soaking up the sunshine and enjoying ice cream go hand in hand with summertime in Vancouver — just like attending local events and seeing Providence out in the community.
This year, our new St. Paul’s Hospital, Clinical Support and Research Centre (CSRC), and Recruitment teams attended four incredible events: the Strathcona Summer Kick-Off Party, Tour de Concord, Vancouver Chinatown Festival, and the McSpadden County Fair. Each event brought its own unique energy and gave our teams the opportunity to chat with people from all walks of life and share our vision for the False Creek Flats.
“I really appreciate the project team prioritizing this type of community engagement,” says Virginia Carlton, Patient Care Manager for St. Paul’s Hospital Emergency Department. “As a community member of the current St. Paul’s, the relationship the hospital has with the community is so important. Part of what I love about my neighbourhood is the thoughtful care that Providence provides to the patients it services. I look forward to sharing that experience with Strathcona.”
Past experiences inspire community support
Six-year-old Sonoma and mom Lisa visit the Providence booth at the Vancouver Chinatown Festival (July 13, 2024).
Providence has a rich history of providing exceptional care, and our teams met many patients and families who shared their positive experiences. From those seeking care for broken limbs to others experiencing chronic illness, each person expressed gratitude for the compassionate care they received and the friendly faces who greeted them.
“She had recently been sick and been to St. Paul’s Hospital multiple times,” says Lisa, Sonoma’s mom. “She had such great care and loved her doctors and nurses. So, when it was her turn to choose which charity she wanted to donate her birthday money to, it wasn’t even a question — she wanted to help build the new St. Paul’s Hospital.”
Top questions asked
Providence teams chatting with locals at the McSpadden County Fair (September 8, 2024)
Our teams fielded hundreds of questions from visitors to our booths this summer. While we didn’t have answers for all their questions — like when the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts are coming down — residents appreciated our teams showing up in their community. Here are some of the top questions we received:
- When are the new hospital and research centre opening?
- Construction on the hospital finishes in summer 2026 then we will commission the building, and provide training and orientation to staff. The new hospital will open to patients in 2027, with the Clinical Support and Research Centre opening in 2029.
- How many beds will the new hospital have and how big is it compared to the current hospital?
- The new St. Paul’s Hospital will have capacity for 548 beds – that’s 115 net new beds, or 25% more than we currently have. The new hospital will feature 11 storeys and will almost double in size. Check out fact sheets on the new campus.
- What will happen to the current St. Paul’s Hospital building?
- Providence completed the sale of its property to Concord Pacific in 2020. All proceeds will be invested back into health care and the new hospital. It will be up to Concord to decide what to do with the site.
- What are the other potential future developments on the campus?
- The large size of the 18.4-acre Station Street site presents the opportunity to expand the programs, services and facilities on the campus as future health care needs evolve. Potential future developments at the new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus may include an Indigenous Wellness and Welcoming Centre and a mixed use commercial and residential rental development.
- Will there be a rooftop helipad at the new hospital?
- There are currently no plans for a helipad at the new St. Paul’s Hospital upon opening. Clinical planning has demonstrated a helipad is not required, however, if in the future, BC’s patient needs require the hospital to have air ambulance capability, Providence is ensuring the hospital is being constructed to allow a future heliport to easily be added.
- How many parking stalls will you have?
- The new hospital includes over 1,200 underground parking stalls, including 100+ electric car charging stations. Read more about sustainability efforts at the new hospital. More parking stalls will also be available at the CSRC.
- What kind of new roles will you be hiring for the new campus?
- Providence is currently hiring for roles in almost every area, and most of these people will transition to the new hospital when it opens in 2027. Check out our current opportunities. We will also continue to post new positions as we get closer to opening day so sign up for our job alerts so you don’t miss out on new opportunities.