More seniors housing is coming to Smithers.

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix made the announcement on Aug. 20 at the Bulkley Lodge.

A  new long-term care home will be built which will bring 160 new publicly-funded beds to the community.

In addition to the new beds, the home will replace 56 beds at Bulkley Valley Lodge, for a total of 216 beds. The new home will be built and operated by Providence Living in partnership with Northern Health under a Project Development Agreement. It will be located on land provided by the Town of Smithers and construction is expected to begin in spring 2028 with the home expected to be open for residents in 2030.

Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen said he was excited for this project to get the green light. 

鈥淭his new long-term care home in Smithers will provide our seniors with high-quality, compassionate care that supports both them and their families,鈥� he said. 鈥淢any, many people have worked for this important day and the addition of these beds means more people will be able to age in the community they call home, close to their loved ones.鈥�

The new home will be designed as 鈥渉ouseholds,鈥� each accommodating 12 residents, with every resident having a private single-bed room and bathroom. It will include social and recreational spaces typical of a home, such as living rooms, dining rooms, activity areas, and access to outdoor spaces.

The long-term care home will also offer a 32-space adult day program designed to support older adults living independently at home. This program will provide social connection, engaging activities, exercise and health checks for seniors facing health challenges, ensuring they can maintain their independence while receiving essential services to support their health and well-being.

"We have been advocating to bring more long-term care facilities to Smithers, and today, we are excited to see this vision come to life," said Smithers Mayor Gladys Atrill. "This project is not just about meeting the current demand; it鈥檚 about ensuring that our community can thrive for generations to come. We are grateful for the collaboration with Northern Health, Providence Living and the Ministry of Health in making this possible."

The new building will be at the end of Broadway Avenue. There is currently no plan yet for the Bulkley Lodge once the new facility is built. 

The announcement comes following cries from area residents for more housing. 

Earlier this summer, a Bulkley Valley senior citizen, Carol Morris organized a walk that she hoped would bring awareness of the lack of assisted living available for senior citizens and prompted politicians to take action. 

Currently, there are only two senior homes and a four-year waiting list to be accepted into one of them, she said. 

Morris added that Smithers seniors are forced to move to other assisted living facilities in the Lower Mainland or the Okanagan, which then causes shortages of available spots for seniors living in those communities.  

Morris, along with a group of people who have been advocating for more seniors housing, gathered around the Bulkley Lodge for the announcement and cheered and clapped when the announcement was made.