$57-million Surrey mental-health facility targeted to open in spring 2028

A $57-million, 60-bed mental-health and substance-use facility is under construction in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood and is targeted to open in spring 2028. The facility is in the former John Volken Academy building at King George Boulevard and 68 Avenue; its name will be announced later.

The project is led by the B.C. government, Fraser Health, Provincial Health Services Authority and local partners. It will treat people with complex mental-health, addiction and brain-injury needs, including people admitted involuntarily.

Health Minister Ravi Kahlon said the beds will help more people obtain specialized care closer to home. They will add to more than 2,000 mental-health beds in B.C. that serve voluntary and involuntary admissions under the Mental Health Act, including recently opened beds at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre and Spiritwood Homes in Maple Ridge.

Surrey-Guildford MLA and parliamentary secretary for Surrey infrastructure Garry Begg said the city has a growing need for mental-health and substance-use supports. Dr. Daniel Vigo, B.C.’s chief scientific adviser for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders, said the province is working toward a continuum of inpatient and community services for people at their most vulnerable.