Expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital now completed

The expansion and renovations at the David E. Kampe Tower at Penticton Regional Hospital are officially complete.

The six-storey tower was named after a local Penticton businessperson and philanthropist who passed away in 2019, the same year the tower opened.

When the tower first opened it included enhanced care spaces, including single-patient rooms, large operating rooms and new equipment.

“David Kampe wanted this facility to be like a five-star hotel and at the grand opening he told me it was indeed that beautiful,” said Carl Meadows, executive director of clinical operations, Interior Health.

“He would be thrilled with the difference this facility has made in people’s lives, from patients to staff and physicians. It’s been a wonderful addition to the south Okanagan.”

The second stage of the project included a major expansion to the emergency department which added new trauma rooms, exam rooms, patient registration and a waiting area.

A new hospital pharmacy, a new main entrance and 480-stall parkade were also added.

In addition the tower project received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Canada Gold certification, acknowledging the environmental-friendly design.

As a part of the certification, it was noted that the project used sustainable and existing materials, included charging stations for electric vehicles, increased ventilation and used high-efficiency windows.

The provincial government, Okanagan-similkameen Regional Hospital Foundation, Interior Health and South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation contributed to the $308 million project.

“I am grateful to everyone involved in the David E. Kampe Tower project, from our health-care workers to the project team and all the construction partners,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health.

“There was tremendous collaboration and effort to complete both phases.”