Construction is underway on the new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suite at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail.
Interior Health says it marks a major milestone in strengthening medical imaging and diagnostic services for people across the Kootenay Boundary.
The new MRI suite will replace the current mobile MRI and be located in an integrated space within the hospital, supporting KBRH’s role as a regional oncology centre, Level 3 trauma referral centre, and regional stroke centre. Once complete in early 2028, people in Trail will have access to a permanent, more accessible MRI suite inside the hospital, including a new MRI scanner.
The health authority says the expanded MRI suite and new MRI scanner will significantly increase diagnostic capacity at the hospital, raising annual MRI volumes from about 4,400 to as many as 7,000 scans. The upgraded technology will improve imaging accuracy and efficiency, with faster scan times and smoother workflow.
The additional space and equipment will also enable more complex exams to be performed on site, reducing the need for referrals to larger centres and helping patients receive timely medical care.
“By expanding MRI services at KBRH, we are reducing barriers to diagnostic imaging and helping patients and families receive the care they need — close to home,” Sylvia Weir, president and CEO of Interior Health said in a news release. “A modern MRI suite inside the hospital will help our teams provide faster, more connected care for patients and families for many years to come.”
Interior Health chose Ledcor Construction Ltd. for the expansion project. The project is expected to be complete and ready to receive patients in mid02028.
To ensure MRI services continue throughout construction, the existing mobile MRI will be relocated to an interim on-site position and accessed through a renovated area of the hospital’s administration wing. This approach will keep MRI operations running with minimal disruption to patients.
The project also includes upgrades to hospital parking, scheduled to occur during summer 2026 and summer 2027.
“This new MRI suite marks a major step forward from our ageing, trailer-based MRI service, transforming how we care for our patients,” said Dr. Gonzalo Ansede, department head for medical imaging at the hospital said in the same news release.
“By improving patient flow and expanding the range and quality of MR imaging we can offer on site, it allows our team to work more efficiently and deliver a better experience and better outcomes for our community.”
The total project cost is estimated at $35.86 million and will be shared by the provincial government through Interior Health, the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District, and the KBRH Health Foundation.
