by Wayne Wright on November 9, 2011
RCH History
Next year the Royal Columbian Hospital, RCH as we affectionately call it, will have been in New Westminster 150 years! There is a lot of tradition!
In a recent article, Adrienne Bakker wrote “In spite of the expertise and resourcefulness of RCH doctors, nurses and administrators, the service demands on this facility have exceeded capacity for years.
Many people do not realize that RCH is not just New Westminster’s hospital—85 per cent of the patients cared for at RCH come from outside of New Westminster. In fact, patients are referred to RCH from every community east of Boundary Road and out through the Fraser Valley and to the U.S. Border.” Read full article…
Fraser Health delivered a concept plan to the Ministry of Health Services that would see a significant expansion and redevelopment of RCH.
RCH is important to New Westminster, and the region, not only because of the health services it provides, but it is also one of our big economic drivers. As an institution it employs nearly 4000 people, many who live in New Westminster. It also encourages many satellite medical practices and health service businesses.
Upgrading and expanding an operational hospital is both complex and expensive. I intend to use all my resources and networks in the coming term to facilitate this much needed project. I have meetings scheduled with RCH and Fraser Health Authority to explore how we continue to moving this forward as soon as possible.
by Wayne Wright on November 6, 2011
The Gas Works on 12th Street, built in 1886
If you think I am going to coast along through my next term as mayor, think again. For sure, development will slow down now as many of the projects near completion.
But for future efforts as mayor, I have my sight set on the
- Trapp Block on Columbia Street
- Queensborough/Quay link
- wharf upgrades to be funded from casino money
- 50-acre site at the Braid SkyTrain station
- Gasworks site on 12th Street
- expansion of Royal Columbian Hospital
Based on my experience, the more that we grow New Westminster properly, the more taxation comes in to be shared across the whole community. So it’s not just the homeowners to carry the burden.
I’m going to concentrate on opportunities for new industry. I’m looking for revenue sources to create new industries. I’m looking, for sure I will be involved with the hospital to see how we bring the long-needed expansion of Royal Columbian Hospital to fruition
I am also proud that the City of New Westminster has been able to get support from senior governments and casino revenues for projects such as Westminster Pier Park, the multi-use civic centre, park and community centre improvements in Queensborough, rather than relying only on taxpayers to pay for new amenities.
In the business world, we call it OPM – other peoples’ money – we’re pretty smart in doing that.
The Gas Works
Read the City’s report on Gasworks Site Redevelopment.
Fraser Health delivered a concept plan to the Ministry of Health Services that would see a significant expansion and redevelopment of RCH.
