The current intended location is a parcel of land located behind the Staples on Port Alberni's North side. This land is within the Agricultural Land Reserve and owned by the City of Port Alberni.

Key elements for the location were identified based on focus group feedback, accessibility, parking, impact to traffic patterns, and access:

✔ Outside the tsunami hazard zone

✔ Proximity to West Coast General Hospital

✔ Available for immediate development

✔ Parking availability for employees, patients and Ambulance

✔ Ease of water and sewer connectivity

✔ Safe and welcoming neighbourhood

✔ Removed from residential streets

✔ Proximity to many amenities

✔ Potential for further growth

✔ On a bus route

The goal is for the Campus of Care to accommodate:

• Up to 10 family physicians
• On-site medical and surgical specialists
• State-of-the-art medical equipment
• An on-site pharmacy
• An on-site laboratory
• Housing for medical practitioners
• An innovation and training space

Alberni Low Energy Housing Society (ALEHS)

Alberni Valley Healthcare Fund Society (AVHFS)

Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot (CFAC)

The medical facility will be owned and operated by the Alberni Valley Healthcare Fund Society. The housing and daycare will be owned and managed by the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society.

We expect patients to be able to visit their family physician, nurse practitioner or specialist, have bloodwork done and collect prescriptions all in one trip and under one roof. This immediacy is especially critical for vulnerable persons who have reduced mobility and those who do not have access to private transportation.

• Attraction and retention of medical professionals

• Attraction and retention of residents

• Growth of tax base; consumers supporting local businesses, charities, activities

• Reduced burden on emergency medical services

• Reduced stress on existing medical practitioners

• Positions Port Alberni as a competitive, innovative city to move to/live in

Job satisfaction via:

• A healthy work-life balance
• Interesting, diverse work opportunities
• On-site peer-to-peer collaboration and guidance
• On-site laboratory and specialists
• Reduced administrative and day-to-day operational burdens
• On-site supports to help patients quickly
• Modern equipment and technologies
• Feeling supported by a team, not isolated

The Campus of Care model emerged following 4 local Health Summits involving participants from a wide range of community agencies. Their shared vision considered the following:

Anticipated Doctor Shortage

As of January 2026 it is expected that 2-4 doctors will retire in the next 6 years. Assuming an average patient caseload of ~2,500 per doctor, that could leave up to 10,000 residents without a doctor.

In addition, new doctors are not interested in taking on the same caseloads; for every doctor retiring they may need to be replaced with 3 doctors.

Attraction of Newly-Graduated Medical Students

Port Alberni already hosts medical students regularly, many of whom enjoy the quality of life. Their desire is to graduate to a group practice setting - something not available without building The Campus.

Hosting Visiting Locums

Visiting Locums are often unable to find suitable short or long-term housing in Port Alberni. The Campus' on-site housing offer a reliable place for Locums to visit and cover shifts from local doctors.

In the News

DEC 21, 2025: Island Health Report Shows Alberni-Clayoquot Areas has Health Challenges - Alberni Valley News

What about other locations? Alternative locations were considered, but none could accommodate all Campus amenities.

How can a clinic be built in the ALR? We intend to follow established processes to make an application to the Agricultural Land Commission to develop the land.

Isn't Port Alberni already getting another clinic? An Indigenous Urban Community Health Clinic is being developed in Port Alberni's south side between 3rd and 10th Avenues. Developed by the Central Island Division of Family Practice with the Port Alberni Primary Care Network and managed by the Port Alberni Friendship Centre, the Clinic serves a different need than the proposed Campus of Care. There is a market for both types of facilities to co-exist and support each other non-competitively.

How will the clinic find staff? Early and mid-career medical practitioners are most attracted to the quality of the work environment, followed by quality of life. The traditional style of work opportunities currently available in Port Alberni are not desirable for this demographic, and many rural BC communities also offer quality lifestyles. The Campus of Care model is highly desirable, making the Alberni Valley stand out from competitiors.

Download our Letter of Support, add your signature and send to lori@cfac.ca.