Project Team Tapped for Cottonwoods Long-Term Care Facility in British Columbia

The project team has been selected for Cottonwoods Long-Term Care Facility in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, and includes Stantec and Bird Construction Group, led by Interior Health in partnership with the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District and the syilx Okanagan Nation.

The four-story facility will provide residents living in Kelowna and Central Okanagan access to improved care in a homelike environment. The project reimagines three core elements of traditional long-term care: the physical environment, philosophy of care and a workforce model. The three elements are intended to develop a sense of community and a feeling of home within the facility.

The facility’s “households” will accommodate 12 or 18 residents, each with their own single-bed room with a private washroom. Each household will resemble a typical homelike environment with shared amenities including living room, dining room, activity space and direct access to the outdoors. Design features will support residents experiencing dementia and include culturally sensitive design elements to serve a diverse population in the community.

The project will be constructed in two phases. Phase one will include 234 beds, support services and the Central Okanagan Plant Services program. Phase two will include the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of a one-story addition to accommodate the adult day service program, childcare program and additional LTC related support spaces. The construction budget is $150 million.

The current facility faces critical challenges including inadequate space, resident and client comfort, visitor access and the care team’s safety. With the new design, residents will have access to the kitchen, outdoor space and private and shared spaces, according to their personal and daily schedules. Other amenities will include an art and activity room, hair salon, interfaith space, 25-space adult day program for people living more independently in the community and childcare space with capacity for 37 children.

Phase 1 completion anticipated by summer 2027.