The Municipality of Sun Peaks is seeking bids from building contractors looking to build the community’s new health centre.    

This announcement came from Mayor Al Raine Tuesday afternoon.

“We have finalized the floor plans and technical criteria for the building of a two story building of 930 square meters per floor or 10,000 square feet,” explained Raine. “The Centre will house doctor’s office and examination rooms, as well as other health services, plus a triage area for accidents that may arise from skiing, mountain biking and other sports activities.

“A major component of the Health Centre will be family doctor services for the communities of Sun Peaks, Whitecroft and the Upper Louis Creek valley.”

Photo Credit: Sun Peaks Municipality on Facebook.

Rob Bremner, Sun Peaks CAO said Council has been focused on modular type building construction, but noted they will look into different methods.

“Council is interested in considering geothermal heating sources for the building and looking to build an environmentally sustainable building,” said Bremner.  

The building will also be the new home of Sun Peaks Ski Patrol staff, in a portion of the basement area.

Requests for Proposals will close on April 15. The municipality wants construction completed by Nov. 1., and hopes to have the Health Centre open to the public by Dec. 1.

The Sun Peaks Municipality, the Sun Peaks Health Association and Sun Peaks Resort LLP will provide the capital funding for the project.  

Raine said he is proud that the Sun Peaks community was able to raise the money.

“We have a great community that is willing to step up to the plate and fund community services such as this,” said Raine. “We should all be so proud and pleased with the support of the Sun Peaks Health Association who have raised nearly $800,000 over the last 20 years.”

More major funding will kick off this summer to properly equip the building.

“We hope to make our Health Centre one of the best equipped small community clinics among mountain resorts in British Columbia,” said Raine. “We are focussed on telemedicine equipment that will make it easy for patients to be diagnosed by specialists in the major centre while remaining in Sun Peaks.”

Sun Peaks hopes to attract a community doctor or doctors group to provide year-round medical care in the area.