{"id":740977,"date":"2026-06-16T17:55:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T17:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/740977\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T17:55:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T17:55:09","slug":"first-of-its-kind-centre-built-for-children-with-complex-health-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/740977\/","title":{"rendered":"First-of-its-kind centre built for children with complex health needs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Open this photo in gallery:<\/a><\/p>\n

The new four-storey BC Children\u2019s Hospital Centre for Health Complexity is slated to open in early 2028 at East 21st Avenue and Slocan Street in East Vancouver. The project stakeholders include Ledcor, Diamond Schmitt Architects and Connect Landscape Architecture.Supplied\/Diamond Schmitt Architects<\/p>\n

A new coordinated care centre targeting children\u2019s complex health conditions that require 24\/7 support will soon open in East Vancouver as the first facility of its kind in Canada.<\/p>\n

The four-storey, purpose-built BC Children\u2019s Hospital Centre for Health Complexity<\/a> broke ground in April 2025 at East 21st Avenue and Slocan Street, just west of Renfrew Community Park, and is expected to open in early 2028. The design-build partner spearheading the project is Ledcor<\/a>, while Diamond Schmitt<\/a> are the lead architects and Connect Landscape Architecture<\/a> is in charge of the physical terrain. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis project provides something really valuable for a population that really needs it,\u201d says Juan Martinez, senior director of major capital projects at the Provincial Health Services Authority in B.C. \u201cTo best serve this population, we are building a facility we can all be proud of and support these families and children for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 166,000-square-foot centre serves children and youth up to 19 years old with complex health conditions \u2013 those that require constant care, usually affect multiple body functions and rely on multiple social programs. One of the centre\u2019s goals is addressing the current gaps in the health care and social services continuum by offering care coordination, family counselling, and peer support among other resources.<\/p>\n

While children with health complexity represent<\/a> less than one per cent of the pediatric population, they account for up to 33 per cent of child health provincial spending and more than 50 per cent of pediatric hospitalizations. Because children with health complexity account for a disproportionately large share of healthcare spending and hospitalizations, it\u2019s critical to ensure that their care is effectively coordinated across providers and settings.<\/p>\n

A welcoming space by design<\/p>\n

To add warmth and create a welcome feel, the building\u2019s design features exposed wood and mass timber \u2013 recent research<\/a> shows exposure to natural materials is correlated to a reduction in stress. These materials are also intended to lower the structure\u2019s embodied carbon, which is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout itslifecycle.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to get away from the clinical feel of traditional hospitals with fundamental changes to the interior design to better fit the end experience of its users,\u201d says Duncan Bates, senior associate at Diamond Schmitt Architects, which is also designing a one-storey, 74-space daycare next door that will be open to the broader community. <\/p>\n

One of the many unique features that will make the new children\u2019s health centre feel welcome is what the builders call the site\u2019s \u201ctreehouse\u201d \u2013 a gathering place at the top of a gently-graded, three-level accessible ramp that spirals around the atrium. \u201cThis is a dynamic space that encourages opportunities for moments of serendipitous discovery,\u201d Mr. Bates says. <\/p>\n

The project\u2019s cost is $309.9-million, with the BC Children\u2019s Hospital Foundation<\/a> contributing a total of $60-million and Ledcor donating another $3-million.<\/p>\n

Open this photo in gallery:<\/a><\/p>\n

One of the unique features that will make the new children\u2019s health centre feel welcome is what the builders call the site\u2019s \u201ctreehouse\u201d \u2013 a gathering place at the top of a gently-graded, three-level accessible ramp that spirals around the atrium.Supplied\/Diamond Schmitt Architects<\/p>\n

Listening to the caregiver community<\/p>\n

Todd Shelley\u2019s son, Evan, has a unique genetic profile that includes complex epilepsy and a number of other associated health conditions that require constant one-on-one care. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s non-ambulatory, but quite strong and really wants to move,\u201d says Mr. Shelley, who is part of a family advisory committee for the new centre. \u201cHe\u2019s non-verbal, but has a heckuva set of lungs. More broadly, he\u2019s a happy little man with a huge smile who takes it all in stride, and he has the most extraordinarily giant four-dimple smile.\u201d<\/p>\n

While no day for the Shelley family is typical, keeping Evan\u2019s days consistent is a key part of his care. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn some ways, our days are typical by design,\u201d Mr. Shelley says. \u201cWith chronic medical complexity, a stable routine is invaluable and consistency in fundamentals such as sleep, meals and medications provide a strong foundation for greater flexibility in other activities throughout each day.\u201d <\/p>\n

The Centre for Health Complexity has been designed with ongoing input from clinicians, staff and designers, as well as from patients, caregivers and families like the Shelleys. <\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the more personally impactful stages of consulting on this project was reviewing the overnight-stay room layouts, which brought back many visceral memories of our own stays at BC Children\u2019s Hospital when Evan was younger,\u201d says Mr. Shelley. <\/p>\n

\u201cActual mockups were constructed, and we were able to experience the spaces first hand, where we provided input on everything from the quantity and style of various furnishings to plug placement and storage.\u201d<\/p>\n

The centre will offer short-term, non-acute overnight stays for children and their families, especially during life transitions such as puberty. The facility includes 16 patient suites, each with two rooms and a shared ensuite. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not your typical hospital room with an armchair in the corner,\u201d says Mr. Bates. \u201cIt\u2019s more similar to a higher-end hotel suite.\u201d <\/p>\n

For Mr. Shelley, this is welcome news since sleep is critical for both the children and their caregivers.<\/p>\n

The centre\u2019s interior will be designed with both artwork and colourful hues to reduce stress.<\/p>\n

Other features of the Centre for Health Complexity will include a teaching kitchen for caregivers to learn different medical and nutritional approaches, a First Nations room, two enclosed outdoor terraces and one indoor enclosed terrace with views of the North Shore Mountains. The facility is also targeting LEED Gold certification, a designation awarded to buildings that meet rigorous standards for environmental sustainability, energy efficiency and healthy indoor environments.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur programs are intended to support the whole province of B.C.,\u201d says Mr. Martinez. \u201cSome of these families don\u2019t have the support that they need living that far away, so we also have a strong component of virtual health. But coming to the centre, and having them taken care of and supported right there at the one location, it\u2019s a life-changing opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n