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Red Cross Opens Med Equipment Loan Service Centre

By 250 News

Just some of the equipment available to be "loaned" out by the Medical Equipment Service Centre to  people in need (photo Opinion250 staff)

It cost $575 thousand dollars to renovate the Red Cross building on 6th Avenue in Prince George, but it has  created a new asset for the people of the North. 

The Medical Equipment Loan Service Centre is the culmination of several years of  planning and hard work  and according to Leslie Dunning ,the Canadian Red Cross Western Zone General Manager,  it will "improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the community and ensure that northern BC residents' equipment needs are being met."

The Red Cross Centre had to be expanded from  1,000 to 5,800 sq feet,  there was the development of a technician repair bay , cleaning facility, loading dock, expansion of inventory, and the introduction of a delivery service.  The result is a centre that houses everything from crutches to hospital beds,  walkers to wheelchairs, all sorts of equipment to help  clients recover from surgery, injury or illness.

The Centre will be the "hub" of  loaned medical equipment in the north, servicing the immediate community, and assisting the other 17 such centres spread throughout the North and the Yukon.

Funding for the Centre  came  from a variety of sources, with Northern Health providing a one time capital grant of $80 thousand dollars,  and annual operational funding in the amount of  $70 thousand.   The City assisted by  providing a grant, skipping  municipal taxes for the downtown property, and helping develop the  loading area in front of the building.    

Mayor Colin Kinsley  presented  a plaque to Chris Bone, the Regional Director for the Northern BC & Yukon Region,  applauding her dedication to making the project happen. 

The Centre also unveiled a Donor recognition board, which names groups, businesses, and individuals who made significant financial donations to make the project happen.


Last year, the Red Cross loaned over 6 thousand pieces of equipment to  people in need throughout the region.  The Red Cross  is now looking for volunteers to help operate the  new centre.  Anyone  interested can contact the Red Cross at 564-6566
Northern Health's Tim Rowe and Mayor Colin Kinsley  look at Donor Recognition Board
















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