Moving health care forward: Protecting progress on Sooke’s UPCC

Let’s continue talking Public Health and Safety. One of the most exciting developments for Sooke is the Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) coming to Wadams Way. After years of work, Sooke is closer than ever to better local health care.

A UPCC provides same-day care for urgent, non-emergency health concerns, basically care that doesn’t require a trip to the hospital.

So what is the status of this project? A lot of the hard work is already done:

• October 2025: The Ministry of Health committed $840,000, completed designs for the 6,500-square-foot UPCC and agreed to lease the space.

• November 2025: Council approved a 63-year ground lease with Catalyst for the Wadams Way site.

• February 2026: The project received BC Builds Preliminary Project Approval, moving it toward CMHC financing.

• March 2026: The development permit moved through the District's Land Use and Development Committee and was subsequently approved by Council, with Councillor Haldane opposed. The goal is to obtain a building permit and break ground by December.

The project also includes 80 rental homes, with 30% rented at 20% below market, including 14 homes reserved for health-care workers.

Everyone understands the urgency. Sooke needs this centre, and we need it as soon as possible.

Council should push hard for results and expect our partners to deliver. But major projects like this also depend on strong working relationships.

The Sooke Region Communities Health Network and others have spent years getting the pieces in place. Provincial commitments, financing and experienced development partners take years of work to secure, and we shouldn't assume one partner can simply be swapped for another without delays or consequences.

A new Council's job isn't to take over a complex project and start calling the shots. It's to push for results, hold partners accountable, help solve problems, and protect the progress that's already been made.

The Province has committed to staffing the centre, and regional and provincial programs are already working to recruit health professionals.

The need is urgent. The groundwork has been laid. Now let's keep pushing and get the doors open.