The new Northern Health Learning and Development Centre will reduce the number of parking spaces available in front of the University Hospital of Northern B.C., but more will be added elsewhere to compensate.
The $9.9 million project announced on Friday will be built adjacent to the main entrance to the hospital and take up about one row of the current parking lot, according to Northern Health chief operating officer for the interior Michael McMillan. However, the pending demolition of the Nechako building behind the hospital will create a new location for parking and McMillan said it could generate even more new spaces than those that will be lost with the new building.
The availability of parking around the hospital is an ongoing concern and Northern Health is about four to six months away from completing a study looking at its parking option. The report is expected to provide both short- and long-term options.
McMillan said one plan under consideration is closing off part of Edmonton Street and converting it into a parking lot. Such a change would require negotiation with the city and McMillan said it's too early to say when it could be implemented.
