In Kamloops, excavation and foundation work are now underway on the new BC Cancer Centre at the Westlands site of Royal Inland Hospital. This project, valued at approximately $386 million, brings together local construction, architecture, and engineering professionals on a meaningful mission: making radiation therapy available right here in the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap area. For patients, this means no more long trips to Kelowna or the Lower Mainland for treatment. When doors open in 2028, the centre will offer radiation care, a CT simulator, MRI diagnostics, ambulatory care exam rooms, and even a quiet interfaith space. A 470-stall parkade will also support patients, staff, and visitors.

What the BC Cancer Centre will include

• Three LINACs: This radiation treatment requires specialized design and shielding, necessitating careful planning of structural loads, concrete thickness, and HVAC controls.
• CT simulator and MRI: Complex state-of-the-art equipment with strict environmental needs (temperature control, vibration isolation, power conditioning).
• 470-stall parkade: A significant civil and architectural feature to manage site logistics, flow, and safety.
• Exam and consultation rooms: Designed to streamline workflow, protect patient privacy, and help staff work efficiently.
• Interfaith sacred space: A sensitive element that serves patients, families, and staff seeking a moment of calm.

Every part of this build requires skilled hands—whether it’s pouring thick concrete walls for radiation vaults or installing the precise mechanical and electrical systems the equipment demands. The tradespeople here aren’t just assembling a facility; they’re creating a space that works flawlessly and offers comfort to the people relying on it.

EllisDon Corporation leads the build, with costs shared between the province of BC and Thompson Regional Hospital District. Interior Health and BC Cancer will be in charge of operating facility upon its opening in 2028. Meanwhile, upgrades to Royal Inland’s existing oncology clinic and pharmacy, part of the same initiative, are scheduled for completion by 2029.

Three high-energy linear accelerators (LINACs) will deliver radiation therapy at the new facility. In its first year, it’s set to serve 1,200 patients with 16,500 radiation treatments, as well as 7,500 radiation consultations and follow-up visits—all close to home. 

Image courtesy of http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/

Bringing radiation treatment to Kamloops changes the journey for local families. Instead of driving hours to wait in long lines, they’ll find care within their community. That shortens treatment days, eases the strain on caregivers, and keeps people closer to their support networks throughout a difficult time. Health Minister Josie Osborne emphasizes this need, saying accessible care supports better experiences and healthier outcomes. The project reflects the province’s push to reinforce health-care infrastructure where it matters most. The centre ties into B.C.’s broader 10-Year Cancer Action Plan—filling gaps in treatment access and building capacity for a region with rising demand. 

If you want to follow updates on how steel starts rising for the shielded rooms or how systems come together behind the scenes, subscribe to our newsletter, where you’ll hear about new milestones, featured trades, and how this build is shaping local cancer care.