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SURREY, B.C. — B.C. is moving forward with a new hospital and BC Cancer Centre for Surrey.

Officials announced they have issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the facility at 5500 180 St.

“Our government is delivering on its commitment of a new hospital for people in Surrey, and we are proceeding to the next stage of the procurement process,” said Adrian Dix, minister of health, in a statement. “This important next step means we are closer to seeing what the hospital will look like, to shovels in the ground and construction starting, and to the new hospital opening for patients.”

Two proponents have made the shortlist to lead the project design and construction as a result of the request for qualifications process, which ended in March. The proponents are EllisDon Design Build Inc. and PCL Construction Ltd.

The province stated the RFP process normally takes about a year to finalize. Construction is expected to begin next summer with the facility scheduled to be ready for patients in 2027.

The project is proceeding with a design-build procurement process in which the preferred proponent enters into a fixed-price, fixed-schedule contract with Fraser Health to design and build the facility to meet standards and performance requirements specified by Fraser Health.

The new hospital will have 168 beds, a surgical/perioperative suite with five operating rooms, four procedure rooms, an emergency department with 55 treatment spaces, and virtual care options in all clinical service areas.

The facility will have a large medical imaging department, including three CT scanners and two MRI machines, as well as pharmacy, laboratory and academic spaces.

There will be a specialized area for spiritual care and family gatherings that support cultural diversity and spiritual practices.

The new BC Cancer Centre will include an oncology ambulatory care unit with 50 exam rooms, 54 chemotherapy treatment spaces and room for six linear accelerators for radiation therapy to provide care and support for people diagnosed with cancer.

The capital cost is estimated at $1.72 billion and is funded by the provincial government. Fraser Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority are working with the Surrey Hospitals Foundation and BC Cancer Foundation to explore potential funding opportunities.