East Vancouver 44th Community Health Clinic

East 44^th Ave. Community Health Clinic: Providing accessible healthcare for South Vancouver 

We have been selected by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Authority as the general contractor for the renovation of an existing 279 m² or 3,056 SF Vancouver Coastal Health Clinic. Work began in May 2024 to repurpose the space into a high-functioning healthcare clinic for the South Vancouver community. 

Once complete, the clinic will provide accessible and timely medical care, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for essential health services and reducing the burden on emergency services and hospitals, enhancing the overall efficiency of the healthcare system in the region. 

The project scope includes an extensive interior renovation which will see the existing walls and slab areas demolished equipment and furnishings installed that meets IPAC, IPS, and IMITS standards while addressing space needs for staff to provide clinical services. Exterior work includes an aesthetic refresh and signage to align with VCH branding; and an upgrade of roof top units to meet current heating, ventilation, and cooling requirements.  

Mid-way through the project, the client expanded the scope to include a complete reconstruction of the building's drainage system. This has extended the completion date to April 2025.  

Protecting the Environment  

HVAC Upgrades: All HVAC systems will adhere to current environmental standards, ensuring efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. 

Energy-Efficient Light Fixtures: Traditional incandescent bulbs will be replaced with energy-efficient alternatives, such as LED or CFL bulbs. These fixtures consume less energy while providing the same level of illumination. 

Dust Control: Special plans and equipment are in place to minimize dust migration during construction, maintaining a clean and healthy environment. 

Our Challenges 

Building in a Primarily Residential Neighbourhood 

• Minimal Disturbance: The scope of work will be carried out with utmost care to minimize disruption to the surrounding environment, including trees and surface water drains. 

• Dust Mitigation: Special plans and equipment are in place to reduce dust generation during construction, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment. 

• Pedestrian and Road User Considerations: The site layout has been thoughtfully designed to minimize inconvenience to pedestrians and road users. 

• Just-in-Time Delivery (JIT): By adopting JIT delivery practices, we aim to minimize the footprint of the laydown area on-site, optimizing space usage. 

Ensuring adjacent UPCC remains operational 

• The adjacent VCH-owned urgent primary care centre (UPCC) must remain operational and undisturbed throughout construction 

• Maintaining a safe environment for the adjacent UPCC while simultaneously implementing a strict IPAC plan that ensures a sterile and secure project is delivered  

Constrained timeline and construction schedule necessitate a phased approach 

• The need to open a facility to service the surrounding population as quickly as possible requires advanced tendering and coordination to ensure all long lead items are procured with the schedule constraints in mind.  

• Furthermore, construction activities have been closely aligned with required client deliverables to allow VCH early access to complete all specialty equipment installations and any other required works for handover.  

• Project progress and milestones are tracked weekly to confirm adherence with the project’s deliverables. 

Supply Chain Disruptions 

• The project faced supply chain disruptions, necessitating agile procurement strategies to mitigate delays and ensure timely delivery of construction materials. 

• A constrained project footprint requires carefully sequenced work plans and site logistics.