Shuswap (Secwépemc) Healing Centre

Conceptual exterior design of the Shuswap Healing Centre

The Shuswap Healing Centre seeks to be a place where residents from Sicamous and the region can access health and wellness services from birth to end-of-life.

The 15,000 square-foot building will house the Sicamous Community Health Centre (previously the Sicamous Medical Clinic), provide space for allied health professionals, and create functional space that will be able to be used by a variety of community groups.

The District has heard from its residents the importance of preserving green space in its downtown and the retention of community outdoor space will be prioritized as part of the overall project.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Shuswap Healing Centre Project

The contract for the design and preconstruction services of the Shuswap Healing Centre was awarded to Scotts Builder Inc. at the September 8, 2021 Regular Council Meeting.

The Design Team, with includes health-care consultant Dr. Avein Saaty-Tafoya and Indigenous Architect Douglas Cardinal, visited Sicamous in the Fall of 2021. In September, Dr. Saaty-Tafoya participated in several round-table discussions with the District, Splatsin and community stakeholders to gain a better understanding of our community’s healthcare needs. The following month, Mr. Cardinal started the architectural process by guiding the District of Sicamous and Splatsin through design visioning sessions.

The overall design aims to be sustainable, reducing energy consumption in both the construction and operation of the facility. Another important consideration in the design of the Shuswap (Secwépemc) Healing Centre is the Sicamous’ “Live More, Live Well Strategy" which was adopted by Council in 2018.

Council has confirmed 200 Main Street as the home of the Shuswap (Secwépemc) Healing Centre, keeping the project closer to the water which has historical and cultural significance to Splatsin who valued “Sek’maws (Sicamous) as an important fishing village.

The proposed positioning of the facility on the property will not only maintain between 0.5 and 0.75 acres of greenspace, but also preserve many of the existing trees. This greenspace will be retained and enhanced to create an outdoor community gathering space on Main Street.

The construction of this facility will encourage investment in the downtown core by injecting capital and attracting ancillary investment opportunities for both the private and public sectors.

This is not a final design.

The proposed interior building layout identifies the space that will be allocated for each component of the Shuswap Healing Centre.

The future home of the Sicamous Community Health Centre will also encompass allied health services, shared community space, a centre for traditional Indigenous healing and accommodation for visiting health professionals.

The total lot size of 200 Main Street is 1.58 acres. An important consideration in the project design is the preservation of existing greenspace; over half an acre will be maintained.

Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on greenspace design at an open house being scheduled later this year.

The project, which now has a Class “C” estimate of $7.9 million, is being funded by the Rural and Northern Communities Fund of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and District capital reserves. Additional funding for equipment is being pursued through the Shuswap Hospital Foundation and the District will utilize the Canada-Community Building Fund for greenspace enhancement.

This ICIP funding was awarded based on the commitment of the District to Truth and Reconciliation efforts; the Shuswap Healing Centre will seek to provide culturally appropriate services that respond to the 94 Calls to Action.

The District continues to fundraise for the project, pursuing grants and other external revenue sources to fund the construction of the Shuswap Healing Centre.

To date, topographical, geotechnical and archaeological surveys have been conducted on the project site. Due to the discovery of pre-colonial artifacts during archaeological investigations, additional archeology permits are required. The process is expected to be completed in 2023 along with phase one of the environmental study. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2024 with completion in the summer of 2025.

December 14, 2022 Project Update

July 29, 2022 Project Update

As Lead Architect, Douglas Cardinal will be responsible for the development and design of the new Shuswap Healing Centre. Following stakeholder engagement, Douglas will create the designs for the Shuswap Healing Centre that capture and embody the spirit and values of our community.

"The Vision is an organic process of fusing all thoughts and ideas shared, in an expression of common understanding. This is the true consensus; when everyone’s perspective is present in the formalization of the Vision itself."

-Douglas Cardinal