A new burn centre in Vancouver is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund broke ground Sept. 17, 2014, on the $13.1 million facility, which will be built at the corner of Main Street and West 23rd.

It will offer burn survivors and their families a home away from home during recovery, including eight rooms free of charge.

Global BC‘s Randene Neill was on sight to MC the event.

The centre will address the shortage of accommodation for burn patients in B.C.

The Burn Fund says patients’ health may be compromised when they have to return home sooner than medically advised or live in accommodations not suited to recovery from a burn or trauma injury.

Each year almost 700 children and adults from across the province are admitted to the burn unit at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital.

Cases from outside the Lower Mainland make up 27 per cent.

“The families of patients can come and stay in this building, be close to their loved ones, so they can go and visit them any time that they are here,” says Burn Fund Director Ray Boucher.

The funding includes a $1.3 million in pledges from professional Fire Fighter Locals around the province, a $4 million investment from B.C. government, a $2.4 million donation of land from the City of Vancouver and $750,000 in donated services from Concert Properties.

Even though construction begins this November, another million dollars is still needed to complete the project. 

FFs Robert Bateman and Matt Wilkie represented CFR as part of the Honour Guard.

FF Cam Robb - IAFF Local 1782 Burn Fund Rep

Retired CFR Capt. Ray Boucher - Burn Fund Director