Just Like Home Lodge

NEWS RELEASE / PROJECT UPDATE – March 26, 2025

SRD Reaches Major Milestone in Transformative Healthcare Housing Project

(Campbell River, BC) – The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is delighted to announce a significant milestone in the expansion of the Just Like Home (JLH) Lodge, a vital patient and caregiver healthcare accommodation initiative. A partnership has been established to build the JLH Lodge and the newly incorporated Healthcare Workforce Housing addition to the complex, ensuring improved access to essential healthcare services while addressing critical workforce housing needs in the region.

The Just Like Home Lodge, a comforting home-away-from-home for patients and their loved ones traveling to Campbell River for healthcare unavailable in their communities is expanding to include a Healthcare Workforce Housing apartment style facility. This vital addition will provide essential accommodations for healthcare professionals providing services in the community to help attract and retain medical professionals in the region. This exciting expansion will create 20 separate self-contained units dedicated to healthcare professionals providing services in the community, in recognition of the need to strengthen this region’s healthcare system.

“This project reflects the SRD Board’s dedication to community well-being and our commitment to enhancing healthcare access and housing options for our medical professionals,” said SRD Board Chair, Mark Baker. “The expanded facility will offer a safe, supportive environment for patients and their families while also meeting the urgent need for workforce housing.”

The SRD is pleased to announce a partnership with the Mailman Family’s Broadstreet Properties Ltd./Seymour Pacific Homes, a local company known for its expertise in quality housing development and ongoing generous commitment to supporting the needs of the community. The SRD and Broadstreet Properties Ltd./Seymour Pacific Homes, are finalizing the project design with construction expected to be complete for a grand opening celebration in the summer of 2026.

“We are honoured to be part of such a meaningful project that will make a real difference in the lives of patients and healthcare workers in our region,” said Kris Mailman, CEO of Broadstreet Properties Ltd./Seymour Pacific Homes, “Our family has always been deeply committed to supporting our communities, and we are excited to bring this vision to life, creating a space that fosters comfort, support, and well-being.”

The refined concept includes:

• 10 independent Just Like Home Lodge rooms with a communal living space, shared kitchen, day room facilities and laundry facilities.
• 20 fully self-contained Workforce Housing units, offering a mix of, Bachelor, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom options, each equipped with in-house laundry, with some featuring private balconies.

The SRD established the Just Like Home service in 2019 in partnership with the Campbell River Hospital Foundation (CRHF) to provide lodging support for North Island residents accessing medical care at the Campbell River Hospital and associated facilities. Since its inception, the need for healthcare workforce accommodation has become increasingly apparent.

“The Campbell River Hospital Foundation has raised $1.9M toward the capital funding for Just like Home and continues to work toward its $2M goal,” said Tyson Lambert, Chair of the CRHF. “The need for this type of facility is significant and we are proud to be part of a project that will ease the burden of travel and accommodation for both patients and their families while they seek the medical care they need in our Hospital.”

This exciting partnership between SRD, the CR Hospital Foundation, and the Mailman Family will have a lasting, positive impact on the region. It highlights the strength of collaboration, uniting local organizations, families, and visionaries to create something truly transformative for the community. The benefits of this initiative will be felt for years to come, improving access to care and strengthening the healthcare workforce, with the facility set to open in the summer of 2026.

Media contact:

Aniko Nelson | SRD Senior Manager – Community Services

250-830-6708 | anelson@srd.ca

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ABOUT THE LODGE

Just steps away from the Campbell River Hospital, the Just Like Home Lodge is a safe haven for patients and loved ones who find themselves traveling to Campbell River for specialized care or procedures that they cannot receive in their communities.

Currently, the Campbell River Hospital serves 32 communities on North Vancouver Island and the Central Coast, with approximately 57,000 patients. With a growing and aging population, the hospital is the first referral point for specialized care.

During moments of crisis, substantial travel time daily combined with finding appropriate accommodation near the hospital, can contribute to increased emotional and economic stress.  Just Like Home will be a home-away-from-home, where loved ones can support each other and bond with others through shared experiences together in their times of need.

This beautiful lodge with all the comforts of home will feature:

• Ten separate sleeping rooms with private washrooms
• A comfortable communal living space
• A large modern shared kitchen
• Day use common and shower facililities
• Guest laundry facilities
• RV parking
• & more

THE COST

Capital costs estimated at $2 million will be fundraised through the Campbell River Hospital Foundation.  This includes the cost for the building, parking, furnishings, laundry/storage, internet technology, security cameras and other contingency costs.

All ongoing operating costs will be provided through the Strathcona Regional District.

With your support, loved ones can spend more time together when they need each other the most. All donations and support for this project is appreciated.

TO DONATE

FOR MORE INFO

Please contact:
Campbell River Hospital Foundation
375 – 2nd Avenue, Campbell River, B.C. V9W 3V1
250-286-7164  |  keltie.mckale@viha.ca