PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Northern Health is reporting a significant milestone for the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) Acute Care Tower project, announcing the selection of the preferred mechanical and electrical contractors. This news, delivered via a Northern Health press release to Skeena News, confirms the full formation of the project alliance.
The selected mechanical and electrical non-owner participants (NOPs) are both B.C.-based companies with extensive experience in major infrastructure:
- Mechanical NOP: PML Professional Mechanical Ltd., specializing in innovative and sustainable building systems for healthcare and institutional projects.
- Electrical NOP: Houle Electric, recognized for delivering complex electrical solutions in hospitals and advanced care facilities.
Collaborative Model for a $1.579 Billion Project
The UHNBC Acute Care Tower is a transformative $1.579 billion project that will enhance surgical, cardiac, and mental health and substance use services for residents across Northern B.C..
The project is utilizing an alliance contract—a collaborative approach that integrates the owner, designers, and contractors under a single agreement. This model emphasizes shared responsibility, collective decision-making, and joint risk/reward sharing, which is critical for a project of this scale.
“The formation of the full alliance marks an exciting step forward for the UHNBC Acute Care Tower project,” said Colleen Nyce, Board Chair of Northern Health. “This collaborative approach ensures that every partner is working together from the very beginning to deliver a facility that meets the needs of patients and families across Northern B.C.”.
Political and Development Support
B.C. government officials underscored the importance of the project and the contracting model:
- Josie Osborne, B.C.’s Minister of Health, stated that with the NOPs now selected, the project is “moving closer to providing the timely, high-quality health care services that communities throughout the North deserve and rely on”.
- Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure, praised the alliance model as an efficient approach to delivering critical infrastructure.
- Joan Atkinson, Chair of the Fraser-Fort George Regional Hospital District, noted the excitement of seeing an innovative approach employed to strengthen services across the region.
Project Timeline and Next Steps
The full alliance team, along with Northern Health, EllisDon, and DIALOG, will now enter the Alliance Development Phase to advance planning and design.
Key milestones for the project include:
- Northern Interior Health Unit relocation: Spring 2026.
- Start of tower construction: Fall 2026.
- Anticipated opening for patients: Winter 2031.
Jeff Good, Vice President of Infrastructure BC, confirmed this is the agency’s ninth alliance project, and Aimee Cassie, CEO of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, called the milestone a “significant step toward making this transformative project a reality for Northern B.C.”.
