In Cranbrook, British Columbia, a plot of land has become the focal point of a community dispute. Residents will be invited to express their preferences this autumn regarding the location of a proposed 10-bed hospice facility, following a city council decision to maintain its original public consultation strategy during a special session on Monday.
The Cranbrook Kimberley Hospice Society has requested that a portion of the Mount Baker RV Park & Campground be allocated for the hospice project. However, on July 27, the council opted to gather public feedback on this site along with four other potential locations.
Mayor Wayne Price urged the council to reconsider this choice and suggested endorsing the campground donation as a preliminary measure. He believed this would provide a starting point for the hospice society to commence fundraising activities, with further public input and approvals to come later. Despite Price’s proposal, it did not receive support for discussion during the meeting.
A public survey is scheduled for September to enable the community to share their opinions. Questions related to the hospice project will be included in the city’s 2027 Budget Citizen Survey, running from September 8 to October 2. Residents will be asked whether they favor locating the hospice at the Mount Baker RV Park, as proposed by the hospice society, or at one of the other four potential sites.
Results from the survey are anticipated to be presented to the new council in November to aid in making a final decision. Mount Baker RV Park operator Nicole Wall expressed satisfaction with the extended decision-making timeline, emphasizing the historical significance of the RV park to Cranbrook and her desire to see it revitalized.
The Cranbrook Kimberley Hospice Society chair, George Watson, highlighted the advantages of the Mount Baker site due to its proximity to the East Kootenay Regional Hospital and accessibility for individuals traveling across the region. Watson clarified that the society did not intend to displace the campground, which operates seasonally from April to October.
The debate surrounding the hospice project may stem from misunderstandings about its nature and function, according to hospice volunteer Jeff Williams. He described a hospice house as a serene, purpose-built environment where individuals can spend their final days receiving comfort-focused care. Presently, there is no dedicated hospice house in the East Kootenay region, with existing palliative rooms in regional facilities designated but not exclusively allocated for such care.
Dr. Greg Andreas of Cranbrook also voiced his support for the project during a council meeting in July, emphasizing the communal effort required to provide proper end-of-life care. Watson emphasized the necessity for a hospice house in the region, posing the question of where it should be constructed.