Tuesday September 22, 2026 | SOOKE, BC [Posted at 10:33 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
After many long years of Sooke falling short in facilitating enough health-care services for the local population, there will now be an Urgent Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in the town centre area of the growing region.
This comes in the form of a partnership between the District of Sooke, Catalyst Community Development, Island Health and BC Housing’s BC Builds program.
This announcement came on the eve of today’s BC snap provincial election call, made by Premier David Eby today at 12:15 pm.
This is certainly a feather in the cap of outgoing Mayor Maja Tait who had guided health summits in Sooke since at least 2016.
Owned and operated by Island Health:
The Sooke UPCC will be owned and operated by Island Health. The care team will include doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
Construction of the building (UPCC and residential space) is expected to start in 2026, with site clearing and early works starting soon. The UPCC is estimated to cost about $8 million in capital funding, announced one day ahead of today’s provincial snap election announcement.
Now two clinics in town:
There has been a privately-owned clinic in Sooke called West Coast Family Medical Clinic for decades. They have always been overloaded in terms of client load, and they likely welcome a new facility nearby. In fact, they have advocated for (and contributed to) development of an additional new clinic.
An early announcement about the UPCC at at 2101 Sitka Court (formerly 6651 Wadams Way) was the late John Horgan’s last announcement as the MLA for then Langford-Juan de Fuca was in March 2023 on the very ground that the new UPCC/residential building will be constructed. It’s located next to the public library.
Island Social Trends (formerly West Shore Voice News, and before that Sooke Voice News) has been of following the Sooke health clinic story since 2008.
About UPCCs:
UPCCs are a partnership between the Ministry of Health, health authorities and partners such as Doctors of BC, Divisions of Family Practice and Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC.
UPCCs are part of the primary care networks being established through B.C.’s primary care strategy.
Provincial comment:
“The advancement to open a new UPCC in Sooke reflects our progress in building a stronger, more integrated primary-care system that put people first,” says Stephanie Higginson, parliamentary secretary for primary care. “Our commitment remains to ensure people can rely on high-quality care that meets their people’s needs, when they need them.”
“The Sooke Region is experiencing continual growth and we need to ensure that we match the increasing needs for health care services close to home,” said Dana Lajeunesse, MLA for Juan de Fuca-Malahat.
“Once open, the UPCC will complement the exemplary services already in place, thanks to the team at West Coast Family Medical Clinic, and will bring meaningful change to the thousands of residents of the region who do not have timely access to primary care,” said Lajeunesse.
Island Health chair:
“This new urgent and primary care centre will make it easier for people in Sooke and surrounding communities to access the care they need closer to home,” says Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health.
“By bringing together physicians, nurses and allied health professionals in one location, we can help patients receive timely, team-based care and strengthen access to primary care in a growing community.”
District of Sooke:
“This project is moving from plans on paper to work on the ground,” says Sooke Mayor Maja Tait.
“By bringing health care and housing together on one site, we are creating a community asset shaped by needs. This milestone reflects years of patience, advocacy and partnership,” said Tait.
“It will help residents access care closer to home while providing rental homes for people and families. We have carried this vision with unwavering commitment, and now we are ready to build,” said Tait who is not seeking re-election in the municipal election this fall.