CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. — Work is officially underway on a major project aimed at easing healthcare access and addressing workforce shortages in northern Vancouver Island, as community leaders gathered this week to break ground on the Just Like Home Lodge and Healthcare Workforce Housing initiative.
On September 10, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), together with the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and Seymour Pacific Homes, marked the start of construction with a ceremony held on the traditional unceded territory of the Ligʷiłdax̌ʷ people. The milestone event opened with a ground blessing led by Shawn Decaire, hereditary chief of the We Wai Kai Nation, accompanied by his son, Kye Decaire.
The project represents a dual investment in patient care and healthcare workforce stability across the North Island and Central Coast region, which collectively serve more than 57,000 residents.
Supportive Lodge for Patients and Families
Central to the initiative is the Just Like Home Lodge, a facility designed to provide affordable, supportive accommodation for patients and families who must travel to Campbell River for specialized medical services unavailable in their home communities.
Situated adjacent to Campbell River Hospital, the Lodge will feature 10 private units with ensuite washrooms, alongside shared amenities including a kitchen, laundry facilities, day room and communal living spaces. The goal is to create a welcoming, home-like environment that allows families to stay close while focusing on recovery rather than travel and lodging challenges.
“This project is about more than construction — it’s about care, community, and hope,” said SRD Board Chair Mark Baker. “The Just Like Home Lodge and Workforce Housing will directly benefit patients, families, and healthcare workers across 32 communities and improve healthcare access for more than 57,000 people in our region. Today’s groundbreaking is a true celebration of what collaboration and community spirit can achieve.”
Housing for Healthcare Professionals
Alongside the Lodge, the development will include 20 workforce housing rental suites ranging from studios to two-bedroom layouts. These self-contained units are targeted at doctors, nurses and other essential staff whose recruitment and retention are increasingly challenged by housing shortages.
Regional health authorities and community advocates have consistently flagged the lack of affordable housing as a major barrier to attracting healthcare professionals to the North Island. By adding new rental options within walking distance of the hospital, officials hope to ease those pressures and build long-term workforce stability.
Community and Donor Support
The project has been made possible through the combined support of community donors, local developers, and the hospital foundation. To date, the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and community contributors have raised $2 million in capital support for the Lodge.
Meanwhile, the Mailman Family and Seymour Pacific Homes have brought expertise in housing development and a longstanding commitment to community-building. Their role in advancing the project was highlighted during the celebration.
Officials emphasized that the initiative is as much a testament to collaboration as it is to construction. The gathering drew community members, government representatives, and healthcare partners to witness the first shovels in the ground.
Completion by 2026
Construction on the Just Like Home Lodge and Workforce Housing is now underway, with completion targeted for the summer of 2026. Once operational, the facilities will expand both patient support services and workforce capacity in a region where healthcare access has long been challenged by geography and limited resources.
Residents can follow project updates and be notified when bookings and rentals open through the project’s website at justlikehomecr.ca.
As photos from the day’s ceremony captured community leaders turning shovels of earth, the message was clear: the project is meant to be more than bricks and mortar—it is intended as a lasting investment in health, housing, and hope for Campbell River and beyond.
