Demolition work underway at Mount St. Francis building
By The Nelson Daily Staff
Interior Health said in an emailed statement that work crews have started the demolition of the former Mount St. Francis hospital in upper Fairview.
The hospital building, used in Nelson to care for the elderly for years, is being demolished to make room for the proposed Nelson Health Campus development.
“Work is underway on the deconstruction of the vacant Mount St. Francis hospital building in Nelson, which is expected to take approximately six months to complete,” the Interior Health emailed statement said.
“Interior Health remains in confidential negotiations with a preferred proponent for the Nelson Health Campus development.”
Mount St. Francis was operated by the Sisters of St. Ann until 1996 when the building was sold to the Nelson and Area Health Council.
Interior Health later assumed operation of the facility from the Health Council until 2005 when the hospital was closed.
The current Mount St. Francis building has not been used since 2005.
Interior Health said prior to demolition the local heritage community and the Sisters of St. Ann were consulted to retrieve any parts of the old hospital for preservation.
Interior Health said final project timelines will not be known until a contract is in place.
Interior Health said once plans are finalized, an announcement will be made.
It is believed the new Health Campus could incorporate physical and mental health services as well as a long-term senior’s facility.
Mountain Lake Seniors Community, a privately funded operations, currently runs an assisted living and long-term care home next to the site of the former Mount St. Francis hospital.
Excavators equipped with jackhammers are slowly demolishing the former Mount St. Francis hospital in Fairview.
