Oct 31, 2025 – Jessica Durling/NanaimoBulletin

B.C. government ministers were outside Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Friday, Oct. 31, to announce the project’s ground-breaking. Bowinn Ma, minister of infrastructure, said the purpose of the event was to celebrate the start of the build and to let the community know it has begun.

“Construction is officially underway,” she said. “Once complete, people in Nanaimo and the surrounding areas will have access to its central cancer care with cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy all in one location.” The $311-million project was announced last year and site work got underway at NRGH earlier this year, with an opening slated for 2028. The three-storey centre will offer cancer treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, imaging tools including CT and PET/CT scanners, an oncology ambulatory care unit, an oncology pharmacy and more.

Ma said that in the first year the new facility is expected to facilitate 11,000 patient radiation consults and follow-up appointments, as well as radiation treatments for 1,600 patients through approximately 20,000 treatment visits. “These new features and treatments will make it easier for patients to get the care and support they need where and when they need it,” she said. The facility will be operated by B.C. Cancer in partnership with Island Health and the project cost is being shared by the province through Island Health, the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District and the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

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