Burns Lake, B.C.- The ground breaking this morning  at the site of the new Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre in Burns Lake has marked another milestone in the development of that $55 million dollar project. 

PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. has been awarded the contract to design and build the Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre. 

The replacement hospital is scheduled to be completed and open for patients by the fall of 2015. The project is expected to generate approximately 200 direct jobs during the construction period.  

The facility will be a two-storey building and approximately 6,100 square metres (65,000 square feet). 

"Starting construction is an exciting stage for this project. With the groundbreaking, we are getting closer to having a facility that will provide high-quality care for patients in the area," said Ralph Roy, chair of the Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District. 

The new hospital is being built behind the existing  facility, which will be demolished once the new centre is completed and occupied.