Overdose prevention site planned for new St. Paul's Hospital — but government mum on details

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeHealthLocal HealthNewsLocal News Overdose prevention site planned for new St. Paul's Hospital — but government mum on details Providence Health Care is inviting bids to convert the new hospital's roof into a 'semi-conditioned, exterior overdose prevention site' Author of the article: By Tiffany Crawford Published Sep 24, 2026 Last updated 1 hour ago 4 minute read Join the conversation The new St. Paul's Hospital at 1002 Station St. (False Creek flats) in Vancouver on Sept. 21, 2026 PHOTO BY ARLEN REDEKOP /PNG Article content B.C.’s health ministry said this week that construction on the $2.26-billion St. Paul’s Hospital, located at 1002 Station St. in the False Creek Flats, is now complete and the targeted opening day for patients is early 2027. But it looks like there’s still more to build. Article content A recent request for proposal issued by Providence Health Care, which runs St. Paul’s, is inviting bids to convert the new hospital’s roof into a “semi-conditioned, exterior overdose prevention site.” Article content Article content Article content It is anticipated that the contract will start on Oct. 28 with the work expected to be complete by Jan. 29. Article content Sunrise Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content During a media tour in the spring, Providence Health Care did not say whether the new hospital would include an overdose prevention site like the one at the current Burrard Street location. Article content A spokesperson for Providence said that’s because moving the OPS to the new location was only recently decided. Providence declined a request for an interview on the plan, citing the upcoming provincial election, but confirmed the money to build it was included in the $2.26-billion budget. Article content Postmedia asked B.C.’s infrastructure ministry about the RFP on Monday. On Wednesday, the ministry responded with a statement: Article content “Due to the ongoing election campaign, government is now in a temporary caretaker mode and communications are limited to critical health and public safety information.” Article content The new 548-bed hospital has been hailed by government as a state-of-the-art integrated campus of…