The new Quw'utsun Valley Hospital / Quw'utsun Hulitun-ew't-hw is nearing completion and is set to welcome patients in mid-2027.
“Reaching 90% construction completion is a major milestone for the project,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “The new Quw'utsun Valley Hospital is taking shape as a modern, purpose‑built facility, and we’re now focused on the final stages that will prepare it to deliver high‑quality care to people in the Cowichan Valley for years to come.”
As the new hospital enters its final year before opening, the project is moving into its final stages of preparation. Construction is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2026. That will be followed by equipment installation and staff training, and site orientation to prepare for opening.
Building the future of health care in the Cowichan Valley
Recent construction milestones include:
- near completion of the emergency department, psychiatric emergency services, operating room, mental-health and substance-use unit, and the community hall
- lower floor of the building nearing completion
- progress in landscaping, with paving and installation of water systems
- completion of patient elevators
“This hospital is a groundbreaking project for the Cowichan Valley,” said Debra Toporowski, MLA for Cowichan Valley. “With more space, expanded services and culturally safe care, it will give people better access to the health supports they need close to home. This is more than just a hospital, it is an investment in the health of our community for generations.”
This project represents a $1.4-billion investment in health care in the region, provided by the Province through Island Health, the Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation.
Quw'utsun Valley Hospital / Quw'utsun Hulitun-ew't-hw is being delivered by the Cowichan District Hospital Nuts’a’maat Alliance, which includes Island Health, EllisDon, Parkin Architects, BC Infrastructure Benefits and Infrastructure BC.
Enhanced care and upgrades
The new hospital has capacity for 204 beds and will provide improved health-care services in the Cowichan Valley, with:
- more space for patients and staff, at more than three times the size of the current hospital
- an expanded emergency department, increasing from 17 to 45 beds with two trauma bays, rapid access and discharge space, fast-track streaming space and a new dedicated acute psychiatric zone with two seclusion rooms
- seven operating rooms (three more than the current facility) with one dedicated to caesarean sections
- increased CT scanning capacity and built-in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- nine surgical procedure rooms, six more than the current facility
- twice as much parking as the current facility and parking will remain free
“This milestone reflects the many hands, minds and hearts shaping the future of health care in the Cowichan Valley,” said Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health. “As we look ahead to opening Quw'utsun Valley Hospital / Quw'utsun Hulitun-ew't-hw next year, we recognize the care providers, patients, families, builders, design teams and communities whose dedication is helping create a legacy of better health for the region.”
Incorporating Indigenous perspectives
The new hospital has been informed by Indigenous perspectives and knowledge. Carrying a Hul'q'umi'num' and English dual name, the hospital will celebrate the enduring cultural and linguistic heritage of the Quw’utsun peoples and their connection to the land. It will also feature culturally safe spaces to support healing practices, an Indigenous foods program and gathering spaces for families supporting loved ones in hospital, as well as a dedicated Indigenous health-program space, reflecting the hospital’s deep roots within Quw'utsun territory.
Sustainability and innovation
Quw'utsun Valley Hospital will be the first fully electric hospital in B.C. It is being built to LEED Gold standards, featuring a 75% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions compared to the current hospital, ensuring it can provide the services people need now and in the future in an environmentally conscious way.
In March 2026, the project was selected as the Gold Level winner of the 2026 Touchstone Award from the Center for Health Design in recognition of the new hospital’s design to improve patient outcomes, safety, staff experiences and system sustainability.
The new hospital is part of the Province’s work to improve and expand health-care services for people in the Cowichan Valley and throughout B.C.
Quotes
Kate Segall, board chair, CVRD–
“Quw'utsun Valley Hospital / Quw'utsun Hulitun-ew't-hw will truly change how health care is delivered in our region in so many important ways. Reaching the final stages of construction is an exciting milestone for our community and for everyone who has worked so hard to bring this project to life. The CVRD is proud to be a partner.”
David Robertson, board chair, Cowichan District Hospital Foundation –
“Thanks to the generosity of Cowichan Valley donors, we are close to our $20-million goal to support state-of-the-art equipment for Quw'utsun Valley Hospital. It is already an impressive addition to our local skyline, but more important, it is a huge enhancement of our ability to look after the residents of the region. Together, our community has achieved something truly remarkable: Every donation is helping build a healthier future for generations to come.”
Westley Davidson, chief project officer, Cowichan District Hospital Nuts’a’maat Alliance –
“It is an honour to support the delivery of this vital health care facility for the Cowichan Valley. Through the Nuts’a’maat Alliance, project partners have worked alongside care teams, patients and Indigenous communities to design and build a hospital that reflects a shared vision: to create the most welcoming place of healing and hope.”
Chief Cindy Daniels, Cowichan Tribes –
“The process of developing the new Quw'utsun Valley Hospital / Quw'utsun Hulitun-ew't-hw has offered much needed relationship building and cultural education and sharing opportunities with the health-care sector in our region. I recognize the efforts of the project team to work with our community, seeking our input so that this new facility incorporates spaces, design, and art that respect our Quw'utsun culture.”
Learn More:
For more information about the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project, visit: Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project.
For more information about health capital projects in B.C., visit: Health infrastructure projects - Province of British Columbia