Prince George, B.C. – It may not be the most expensive delivery ever made in Prince George, but it is one that will change the way cancer patients in the North receive treatment.

The first of two linear accelerators arrived this morning at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North. Valued at approximately $3.5 million dollar, the accelerator will deliver radiation therapy, the first time such a service has been offered north of Kelowna.

Despite the image shown above, Chief Project Officer Hal Collier says the machinery will fit through the corridor to the “vault”. 

The vault itself is a unique design for B.C. as there is no door. Instead, a maze corridor with three corners has been designed to allow the “vault” area to remain open, while the angles of the walls will allow the radioactive particles to dissipate. Strategically placed motion sensors would shut down the machine should anyone inadvertently walk into the corridor while a treatment is being delivered.

The accelerator is from Varian Medical Supplies in the US and each accelerator is made up of  30 individually packed pieces.   The second accelerator is expected to arrive next week.

Once the equipment has been installed, it will take months before all testing and approvals are given to allow the equipment to be used.

The Cancer centre is slated to open before the end of 2012.