VCH partners with Onni Group for Pearson Dogwood lands redevelopment

Under the terms of the partnership, VCH will retain a 3.2-acre parcel of the 25.4-acre site, which will be developed for health care and community uses, including a new 150-bed residential care home, a community health centre, a YMCA and a new therapeutic pool. The George Pearson Centre will be replaced by 114 housing units for people with disabilities distributed across the rest of the Pearson Dogwood Lands and integrated with other market and affordable housing.

Onni Group has agreed to purchase two parcels of land on the site totalling 22.18 acres--a 5.81 portion that runs parallel to Cambie Street and 16.37 acres located on the western portion of the site. These will be developed into a community of mixed residential, commercial and retail, with amenities such as a park and community gardens.

All proceeds generated from the sale of the Pearson Dogwood Lands will remain with VCH for re-investment into health care infrastructure, including on the site to replace existing outdated buildings.

“This sale is a major milestone for the project and will generate significant funding for investment into healthcare infrastructure,” said Minister of Health Terry Lake. “The goal of the redevelopment has always been to leverage the value of the Pearson Dogwood lands to generate capital for VCH to build residential care, housing with health care supports and clinical facilities.”

A total of ten proposals were submitted to VCH from some of Canada’s leading developers in response to the Request for Proposals posted on BC Bid. Proponents were evaluated based on their financial strength, their local experience, their qualifications with large master planned communities, and their commitment to VCH and the City of Vancouver Policy Statement, which guides land use and density on the 25.4-acre site.

“The redevelopment is a major project not just for Vancouver Coastal Health and the residents of Pearson Dogwood, but for the entire community,” said Mary Ackenhusen, President and CEO of VCH. “We are excited to be able to partner with such an experienced developer as Onni Group, whose expertise will be invaluable in helping us build a strong and vibrant community that also meets the needs of seniors and those with disabilities.”

The Pearson Dogwood lands were initially developed for institutional healthcare uses in the 1950s and are now used exclusively for adults with physical disabilities and older adults needing residential care. There are currently two facilities on the site, the George Pearson Centre and Dogwood Lodge, both operated by VCH. The current operations of these facilities will not be impacted by the land sale until new accommodation is built to house their residents.

VCH is responsible for the delivery of $3.2 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Gavin Wilson, Director of Public Affairs 

Vancouver Coastal Health

Phone: 604-708-5312

Cell: 604-319-7532

Email: gavin.wilson@vch.ca