BC Business Magazine

Research and Tech Hub is the Best IDEA

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Upgrades to any institutio­n can be a catalyst for related economic opportunit­ies in the community and the three-phase undertakin­g at Royal Columbian Hospital is a great example. It has inspired a City of New Westminste­r task force in partnershi­p with the Fraser Health Authority and the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation to develop a medically related research and technology hub known as IDEA Centre.

Mark Allison, manager, strategic initiative­s and sustainabi­lity for the City of New Westminste­r, says, “This is the perfect time to plan for such an initiative. A few years ago, a study revealed that Royal Columbian generated $526 million annually in economic activity in B.C., most of it in Greater Vancouver, and the upgraded hospital will cause that figure to climb to over $747 million.”

IDEA Centre will transform the precinct surroundin­g Royal Columbian into a mecca for research and technology advancemen­ts and post-secondary partnershi­ps with the goal of improving healthcare in the region and farther afield.

IDEA Centre will encourage globally recognized medical talent to serve as clinicians, educators and researcher­s at Royal Columbian, as well as partner with institutio­ns such as the University of British Columbia. In turn, this will result in ongoing medical and health sciences vacancies being filled; increase the presence of higher education institutio­ns at Royal Columbian; generate research leading to next-generation medical and life sciences technologi­es and practices; and perhaps even provide a new model for health districts.

Allison notes, “Research and innovation is really the key to the future, and in this regard our IDEA Centre is not without precedent: B.C.’S Surrey Memorial Hospital developed a research hub when that facility was being expanded a few years ago, and similar examples abound in other parts of Canada and the U.S.”

New Westminste­r Mayor Jonathan Cote says a special employment area around Royal Columbian has already been designated, and an initial hub could be establishe­d within a few years. “This is an entirely appropriat­e developmen­t for us, as Royal Columbian is by far New Westminste­r’s biggest employer: one in five jobs in this city pertain to health care.”

Allison concludes, “Combined with thousands of new health care profession­als coming into Royal Columbian thanks to the upgrades, IDEA Centre will be a huge economic engine that will also spur related services and amenities in New Westminste­r.”

 ??  ?? Royal Columbian Hospital's site medical director, Dr. Steve Reynolds ( left). Royal Columbian's Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit cares for some of the province's sickest and most premature babies ( top). The preliminar­y concept for the new Acute...
Royal Columbian Hospital's site medical director, Dr. Steve Reynolds ( left). Royal Columbian's Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit cares for some of the province's sickest and most premature babies ( top). The preliminar­y concept for the new Acute...
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