Just Like Home Lodge Project Moving Forward To Support North Island Patients And Families

Healthcare accommodation facility near Campbell River Hospital expected to welcome guests in fall 2026

A major healthcare support project designed to help North Island residents stay close to loved ones during medical treatment is continuing to move forward, with construction of the Just Like Home Lodge on track for completion later this year.

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD), in partnership with the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and Seymour Pacific Homes, is developing the Just Like Home Lodge next to North Island Hospital – Campbell River campus to provide a safe and supportive place for patients and caregivers traveling for specialized medical care.

The lodge is designed as a home-away-from-home for people from communities across North Vancouver Island and the Central Coast who must travel to Campbell River for services not available in their hometowns.

Reducing travel stress for North Island families

For many residents in smaller communities such as Sayward, Port McNeill, Port Hardy, and surrounding areas, accessing specialized healthcare often requires long travel times and overnight stays near the hospital.

The Just Like Home Lodge aims to ease that burden by offering affordable accommodation just steps away from the hospital, allowing families to stay together and focus on recovery and support rather than travel logistics and lodging costs. Evidence shows that patients often recover more effectively when loved ones are nearby, and the lodge is designed to support that connection.

The facility will include:

  • 10 private sleeping rooms with washrooms
  • communal living and gathering spaces
  • large shared kitchen and dining area
  • laundry and day-use facilities
  • RV and guest parking
  • comfortable shared spaces for families and caregivers

The Campbell River hospital currently serves 32 communities and approximately 57,000 patients across the region, highlighting the need for accessible accommodations close to care.

Construction progress and timeline

Recent progress updates from the Strathcona Regional District show the project is moving ahead on schedule, with major construction milestones already completed and the building beginning to take shape above ground.

The development includes both the Just Like Home Lodge and a Healthcare Workforce Housing component, which will add 20 self-contained rental units for medical professionals to help attract and retain doctors, nurses, and other essential staff in the region.

Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2026, with plans to welcome guests in fall 2026 once the facility is ready for operation.

Strengthening healthcare across the region

The project is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare access and support for rural and coastal communities.

By providing accommodation for patients and families while also addressing healthcare workforce housing shortages, the lodge is expected to strengthen medical services across North Vancouver Island and the Central Coast.

The Strathcona Regional District says the facility will provide an important resource for patients, caregivers, and visiting medical professionals, helping ensure people can access care without the added stress of travel and accommodation challenges.

Community-supported initiative

The Just Like Home Lodge is funded through a partnership between regional government and community donors, with capital fundraising led by the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and operating support provided by the Strathcona Regional District.

Community donations and support have played a key role in moving the project forward, reflecting strong regional backing for a facility that will benefit families across the North Island.

Once complete, the lodge will offer a welcoming and affordable place for patients and loved ones to stay close during medical treatment — helping ensure that no one has to face healthcare challenges alone.

Learn more at the Just Like Home Lodge website.

Strathcona Regional District Encourages Residents to Take Part in Tsunami Preparedness Week High Ground Hikes

The Strathcona Regional District is encouraging residents in west coast communities to take part in upcoming High Ground Hikes during Tsunami Preparedness Week, reminding people that in a real emergency, quick action—not waiting for alerts—can save lives.

Scheduled for mid-April, the hikes and related activities are designed to help residents understand local tsunami risks and practice evacuating to higher ground after a major earthquake. The goal is to strengthen community readiness and ensure people know exactly what to do when every second counts.

Emergency officials emphasize that preparedness goes beyond awareness. Community leaders note that readiness is a shared responsibility, and collective action helps build stronger, more resilient coastal communities. (Strathcona Regional District)

Focus on Immediate Action

Emergency staff stress that residents should not wait for official notifications after a strong coastal earthquake. In many cases, the shaking itself may be the only warning before a locally generated tsunami.

The region’s highest risk comes from the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where a major earthquake could send waves ashore within minutes. Depending on the community, estimated wave arrival times range from roughly 25 to 54 minutes—often too short for sirens or alerts to activate reliably. (Strathcona Regional District)

By comparison, tsunamis from distant sources—such as the Alaska-Aleutian Subduction Zone—usually allow several hours for warnings and evacuation planning. Preparedness exercises help communities test systems and practice evacuation routes under realistic conditions. (Strathcona Regional District)

Community Events and Exercises

Tsunami Preparedness Week will feature High Ground Hikes, emergency notification tests, and community-focused preparedness events across west coast communities. Participants will walk evacuation routes, learn safety information, and connect with local emergency personnel.

To boost participation, organizers are hosting community barbecues and offering prize draws, including emergency kits and other safety gear.

Officials say these events help residents become familiar with evacuation paths and muster points, ensuring they know where to go and how to respond during an actual emergency.

Building Safer Coastal Communities

High Ground Hikes are part of a province-wide effort to increase tsunami awareness and promote hands-on preparedness in coastal British Columbia. The exercises help residents build confidence, practice evacuation procedures, and strengthen community connections.

Emergency management officials continue to reinforce a simple but vital message: after a strong earthquake, move to high ground immediately—do not wait for official alerts.

Tsunami Preparedness Week serves as an annual reminder that preparation, practice, and community cooperation can significantly improve safety and resilience during natural disasters. (Strathcona Regional District)

Patricia Rusch Recognized for 20 Years of Dedicated Service with Sayward Fire & Rescue

The Strathcona Regional District and the Sayward Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department are honouring Patricia “Pat” Rusch for an impressive 20 years of service, recognizing her unwavering commitment to emergency response and community support in Sayward.

Rusch, the department’s Administrative Assistant, has been a cornerstone of local emergency services for two decades. In addition to managing the department’s administrative needs, she leads the First Responder program, demonstrating her hands-on role in preparedness and frontline care.

Fire Chief Frank Morgan commended her leadership and lasting influence on the department.

“Two decades of serving this community with courage, compassion, and a genuine love for what you do. You’ve given so much of yourself to this department, and we are honoured to celebrate this milestone with you,” he said, adding with a smile, “While I may be the Fire Chief, we all know Pat is the boss.”

Rusch’s contributions extend well beyond her current role. She has served as an Ambulance Unit Chief, volunteered with Emergency Support Services, sat on the Sayward Health Society board, and continues to train responders as a Red Cross Professional Responder Instructor Trainer. Her work has strengthened emergency response capacity across multiple organizations.

Colleagues describe her as the steady force behind the department. Shaun Koopman, Manager of Emergency Services for the Strathcona Regional District, highlighted her reliability and work ethic.

“Whether day or night, rain or shine, you’ll find Pat at one of the fire halls with her nose to the grindstone. I truly believe Pat is the example we should all try to emulate,” he said.

Sayward Volunteer Fire & Rescue provides fire protection, rescue services, and first responder support to the Village of Sayward and the surrounding Sayward Valley under Strathcona Regional District Bylaw No. 588.

Officials note that Rusch’s 20-year milestone underscores the essential role long-serving staff and volunteers play in maintaining dependable emergency services in small communities. Her broad experience and deep institutional knowledge continue to strengthen connections between fire services, health supports, and emergency preparedness efforts.

Her recognition also highlights the value of seasoned personnel in rural emergency response, where continuity and mentorship are vital. Leaders say Rusch remains a guiding presence as the department evolves to meet changing community needs.

The Strathcona Regional District and Sayward Volunteer Fire & Rescue expressed their gratitude for her decades of service, noting that her influence continues to shape both daily operations and the department’s future direction.

Sayward Clean Up Days April 18th And 19th

Sayward Community Clean-Up Days Set for April 18–19

Residents of Sayward and the surrounding valley will once again have an opportunity to tidy up their properties during the community’s annual Clean-Up Days, scheduled for April 18 and 19, 2026.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Main Road Yard located at 797 Island Highway, giving residents a convenient place to dispose of bulky household items that cannot normally be placed in regular garbage collection.

Clean-Up Days are intended to help residents clear out unwanted items while encouraging responsible disposal and recycling practices across the community. Over the years, the program has become a popular spring tradition in the Sayward Valley, as households take the opportunity to declutter garages, yards, and storage spaces after the winter months.

What Residents Can Bring

Participants will be able to dispose of a variety of large household items, including:

  • Small and large household appliances
  • Electronics and e-waste
  • Tires
  • Furniture and other bulky household waste

The program also helps ensure that many materials are properly recycled instead of going to landfill. Major appliances brought to the event will be handled through the Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable, which ensures items such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers are dismantled and recycled in an environmentally responsible way.

Donation Opportunities

In addition to waste disposal, residents will also have the option to donate usable household items. Representatives from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore will be on site collecting gently used furniture, home goods, and building materials that can be reused rather than thrown away. Proceeds from ReStore sales help fund housing initiatives in communities across the region.

Organizers encourage residents to consider donating items that are still in good condition before choosing to dispose of them.

Items Not Accepted

While many materials can be dropped off, certain items cannot be accepted during the clean-up event. These include:

  • Drywall
  • Hazardous materials
  • Certain construction waste

Residents are also reminded that recyclable materials such as cardboard, metal cans, foam packaging, motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, and both hard and soft plastics should instead be taken to the Sayward Recycling Depot for proper processing.

What to Expect at the Site

Those attending the clean-up event should be prepared to unload and sort their own items upon arrival. Volunteers and staff will be present to direct residents to the correct areas for garbage, recycling, and donations.

Organizers say the sorting process helps ensure that recyclable items are diverted from landfill whenever possible and that reusable goods can be recovered for community benefit.

Supporting a Cleaner Community

Community clean-up initiatives like this help keep the Sayward Valley looking its best while also reducing environmental impacts from improperly disposed waste. Events such as these also give residents a convenient and cost-effective way to get rid of large items that might otherwise accumulate on properties or be difficult to transport to regional facilities.

Residents who have questions about the event can contact organizers at 250-792-0026 for more information.

The annual clean-up weekend is expected to draw participation from residents throughout the valley and serves as another example of the community working together to keep Sayward clean and environmentally responsible as spring arrives.

Majority Of Residents Support Effort To Dissolve The Village Of Sayward

Push to Dissolve the Village of Sayward Reaches Key Milestone as Majority Support Claimed

A campaign to dissolve the Village of Sayward has reached what organizers describe as a major turning point, with supporters saying they have collected signatures from more than half of local residents who favour eliminating the municipality and shifting governance to the Strathcona Regional District. The petition, circulated throughout the North Island community in recent months, seeks to revoke Sayward’s municipal status and transfer responsibility for local services to the regional district. Organizers say surpassing their targeted threshold shows widespread and growing dissatisfaction with the village’s current governance structure. They plan to submit the petition to the Government of British Columbia, which has the authority to review and potentially dissolve municipalities under provincial legislation.

Mounting Frustration Over Governance and Finances

The push comes during a period of intense political and financial strain for Sayward. Residents have been facing the prospect of steep property tax increases as council works to stabilize municipal finances and maintain essential services. For many in the community of roughly 300 people, the proposed hikes have become a flashpoint for broader concerns about transparency, governance, and long‑term sustainability. Critics argue that the administrative costs of running such a small municipality place an outsized burden on taxpayers. With a limited tax base and rising infrastructure demands, the village has struggled for years to balance its budget while keeping services intact. Supporters of dissolution believe regional administration could spread costs across a larger population and deliver services more efficiently, while also offering greater stability after years of political turbulence.

What Dissolution Would Mean

If the province approves the proposal, Sayward would cease to exist as an incorporated municipality and would instead become an unincorporated area governed by the Strathcona Regional District. This shift would change how services such such as land‑use planning, bylaw enforcement, road maintenance, and administrative functions are delivered. Residents would elect a regional director rather than a mayor and council. The province would likely conduct a formal review—including financial and governance analyses—and hold public consultations before making any decision. Such reviews typically assess the cost of maintaining municipal status compared with alternative governance models.

Community Divided Over the Future

Despite the petition’s momentum, the community remains divided. Some residents fear that losing municipal status would diminish Sayward’s local voice and reduce its influence over decisions affecting the area. Others worry that regional governance may not fully reflect the needs of a small, remote community. Questions also remain about how municipal assets, debts, and infrastructure would be handled if the village were dissolved. For many longtime residents, the debate touches on issues of identity and autonomy as much as finances.

Province Holds the Final Say

The future of Sayward ultimately rests with the provincial government, which can restructure municipalities if it determines such changes are in the public interest. In past cases, the province has required additional studies or referendums before approving major governance shifts. For now, the petition’s claimed majority support signals that a significant portion of the community is open to a dramatic rethinking of local governance. As the proposal moves toward provincial review, the debate is likely to intensify, with residents weighing potential financial relief against the loss of local control.