Shuswap (Secwépemc) Healing Centre

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, which 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. 

• Design Intent
• Scott Builders Inc. 
• Douglas Cardinal Architect

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.

The project is being funded by the Rural and Northern Communities Fund of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, 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. 

Geotechnical and archaeological studies have been completed and an environmental study is underway.

Pending any schedule changes, construction is set for fall 2023 and will take approximately 12 months to complete.

May 2023 Update

December 14, 2022 Project Update

July 29, 2022 Project Update