Our Centre
A New Centre for Compassionate Care in the Bow Valley
We are excited to share the vision for the Centre for Palliative Care and Hospice in the Bow Valley—an inclusive space designed to support individuals and families as they navigate the challenges of life-changing illnesses. This Centre will stand as a living testament to the values that Bow Valley Palliative holds dear: dignity, care, and excellence. It will be a peaceful and welcoming haven, where those in need of palliative care can find solace, surrounded by compassionate volunteers, skilled healthcare professionals, and a community that deeply cares.
This Centre will support people at every stage of the palliative journey—from diagnosis and living well, to end of life. It will also offer a place for grief support for families and loved ones, creating a space to heal and reflect during challenging times. With your support, this dream of a “home away from home” for the Bow Valley community will become a reality.
Latest Update
June 2025
As we are learning, patience really is a virtue! Approval from the Town of Canmore for the subdivision is inching closer every day but with this time, so comes growing costs, shortening windows to break ground, and urgency of growing demand in the community. We know that everyone is working hard to get this project moving forward and very much appreciate all their efforts.
The team at PCSBV, METAFOR and CANA all continue to work on finalizing plans and documentation, exploring ways to manage and contain costs both during the build and the facility operations when they are up and running. Our goal for beginning construction remains September 2025 and, assuming all of the necessary permits and financing in place, we are on track to meet this.
Meanwhile, work outside the construction project is examining the various sources of revenue that can create long-term sustainable operations. This includes expanding the ways that donors from the community can give, government funding and social enterprises that align with interests of the organization and can generate a new form of income. The fluidity of changes in the Alberta health system provide both a challenge and an opportunity for us. Working with other stand-alone hospices in the province, we continue to have fruitful conversations with decision makers in political and administrative roles.
To ensure that we are ready to begin construction, we continue to focus on raising funds to be able to start this work quickly and thank all of you who continue to commit to this incredible vision. If you would like to find out more about how you can donate and be part of this exciting vision, contact us.
May 2025
Work on addressing the conditions of the subdivision continues between the landowners and the Town of Canmore. We are very encouraged by the progress so far and we anticipate its completion for the start of the summer.
The PCSBV team, along with architects Metafor and the construction manager CANA, are forging ahead with the development plans of the building. This includes finalizing the mechanical and electrical design, IT considerations as well as the interiors. The interior design has been very carefully considered to ensure that the Centre feels like a home not a clinical institution. We want to make sure that it feels light, has a strong connection with the nature around it and promotes a feeling of calm and peace. We have included small and large gathering spaces as well as places where you can sit quietly with your thoughts. As you will see in the updated image of our resident rooms, this feeling of connecting the inside and outside is an important consideration. Windows and beds are positioned so that the spectacular views will be optimized for anyone who is staying and flexible seating and overnight accommodation for those who will be visiting during their stays.
Our goal is to be ready to go, once we have the green light on permits. We are continuing to focus on raising funds to be able to start this work quickly and thank all of you who continue to commit to this incredible vision. If you would like to find out more about how you can donate and be part of this exciting vision, contact us.
Mark your calendars! On June 22nd, we will be holding an event at the Nordic Centre. Come see for yourself how the plans are shaping up, see the latest drawings of what the rooms will look like or the grounds that surround the building, ask questions about the space, its design and considerations, our programs and services and how you can get involved.
April 2025
The first step of the development is almost complete with the subdivision of the land receiving conditional approval from the Town of Canmore. Our Development Permit continues to be reviewed and having addressed a few questions, we hope that this will be granted in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, we are finalizing the finishes on the inside of the space, balancing budget with creating a beautiful and calming environment for all those who visit. As we consider furnishings, thinking about the different ways that each room can be used is important so that we have the most flexibility, well into the future.
Buildings like ours do not typically attract government capital funding. The Centre for Palliative Care and Hospice in Canmore will be possible thanks to our generous donors. It is our ultimate goal to make this place feel like a home from home, a sanctuary, a source of support, a place for a whole community.
The Centre for Palliative Care and Hospice in the Bow Valley will offer a comprehensive, compassionate environment for individuals facing life-changing illnesses and support for their families and caregivers. This state-of-the-art facility, constructed from funding through community donations and support, will allow us to work with our healthcare partners to fill a critical gap in accessible end-of-life care for the region, bringing services closer to home.
The Centre will provide both residential and community-based care, with spaces and programs thoughtfully designed to enhance comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
Facility Features
The Centre’s layout and design will emphasize a healing, serene atmosphere, with natural light, accessible outdoor areas, and views of the Bow Valley landscape to create a tranquil environment for individuals and families.
- Residential Hospice Suites with a total of 8 beds
- Respite Care Areas
- Therapeutic Spaces
- Accessible Outdoor Areas
- Conservatory
- Reflection Spaces
- Natural Light and Scenic Views
These design elements aim to foster a supportive, healing atmosphere that meets the holistic needs of everyone in the facility.
Supporting Services
The Centre will provide a full spectrum of palliative care services, catering to the varied needs of individuals at different stages of their journey. Core services include:
- 24/7 Residential Hospice Care
- Symptom Management
- Individualized Care Plans
- Respite Care
- Grief and Bereavement Programs
- Caregiver Wellness Workshops
- Community-Based Services
- Holistic, Wraparound Care Approach
March 2025
Work continues with the Town of Canmore to finalize the land subdivision and proceed towards the planning permits. The team from PCSBV, Metafor, our architects, and CANA, the construction manager have almost completed the value engineering exercise (part of the process where we get a better idea of the budget for construction) on the building itself and are turning their attentions to the inside from mechanical, electrical, IT and interior design. In parallel, we are also revisiting the landscaping around the building, looking at ways to combine the natural habitat of the land, with spaces that will provide opportunities for our community to gather with loved ones, take time for contemplation and reflection. Maintaining that connection with our surroundings is key both for the design on the inside and the area outside of our Centre.
Buildings like ours do not typically attract government capital funding. The Centre for Palliative Care and Hospice in Canmore will be possible thanks to our generous donors. It is our ultimate goal to make this place feel like a home from home, a sanctuary, a source of support, a place for a whole community.
How the Centre Will Serve the Bow Valley
The Centre for Palliative Care and Hospice will offer a range of services designed to meet the holistic needs of individuals and families, including:
Residential and Community-Based Care
Combining the best of both residential hospice care and community outreach, ensuring that all Bow Valley residents can receive the care they need, in the comfort of their own homes or at the Centre.
Healing Environment
The Centre will bring together healthcare professionals, volunteers, and community partners, working collaboratively to provide individualized care and support. This will create a seamless experience for families, where every need is addressed, and each step of the palliative journey is met with compassion and expertise.
Integrated Care Model
The Centre will bring together healthcare professionals, volunteers, and community partners, working collaboratively to provide individualized care and support. This will create a seamless experience for families, where every need is addressed, and each step of the palliative journey is met with compassion and expertise.

Facility Features
The Centre will feature a range of amenities designed to create a peaceful and supportive environment, including:
- Residential Hospice Suites: Eight private beds offering 24/7 care, allowing individuals to live out their final days with dignity, comfort, and peace.
- Respite Care Areas: Designed for family members and caregivers who need a break while knowing their loved one is being cared for in a safe, nurturing space.
- Therapeutic Spaces: Rooms designed for individual and group therapies, focusing on both physical and emotional healing.
- Accessible Outdoor Areas: Beautiful gardens and accessible outdoor spaces that promote relaxation and provide a connection to nature.
- Conservatory and Reflection Spaces: Tranquil indoor areas where families can come together, reflect, or find solitude during difficult moments.
- Natural Light and Scenic Views: Thoughtfully designed spaces that take advantage of the natural beauty of the Bow Valley, creating a calming, restorative environment.
Supporting Services at the Centre
The Centre will provide a full spectrum of palliative care services, including:
- 24/7 Residential Hospice Care
- Symptom Management
- Individualized Care Plans
- Respite Care for Families
- Grief and Bereavement Programs
- Caregiver Wellness Workshops
- Community-Based Services
- Holistic, Wraparound Care Approach
This facility will allow us to meet the growing needs of our community, ensuring everyone has access to compassionate care close to home.

Follow Our Journey: Centre Development Timeline
The creation of the Centre for Palliative Care and Hospice is a significant undertaking, and we are thrilled to take this journey with you, our community. Here is an outline of our key milestones:
Key Partners
This important project would not be possible without the support of our dedicated partners. From the early planning stages to the final construction and operation, we are grateful for the organizations and individuals who share our vision and contribute their expertise, time, and resources. We will be highlighting our key partners as the project progresses.
Support the Centre Today
The Centre for Palliative Care and Hospice will be a place where the Bow Valley community can access compassionate, high-quality care during life’s most difficult moments. We need your help to make this vision a reality.
Donate Today
Every donation brings us closer to opening the doors of the Centre. Join us in building a place that will provide comfort, dignity, and support to individuals and families for generations to come.
