Vernon Jubilee Hospital

In March 1892, a resolution was passed at a public meeting to form a Hospital Society, whose purpose was to take the necessary steps to establish a 'charitable institution'. By 1897, Vernon's first hospital, known as the cottage hospital, stood on 27th Avenue near the corner of 35th Street. In July of that year, the name Vernon Jubilee Hospital was chosen by the directors. In 1908, Samuel Polson donated property north of 21st Avenue for a new building. In September of 1909, a brand new hospital building with 100 beds was opened on 32nd Street, now known as 'Hospital Hill'. During WWI, a special wing in this building housed wounded soldiers. By September 1949, this building was replaced by what is now the main portion of the present hospital building. This new facility contained a total of 107 beds. By May 1964, a mechanical wing had been added, housing a new boiler room, laundry, and board room. In 1968, extensive renovations and expansion occurred. The Centennial Wing was added, containing a 60-bed extended care unit. Additionally, renovation and expansion of all floors and service departments was completed, bringing the total number of available hospital beds to 180. In May 1974, the Alexander Wing was built, adding another 100 beds of extended care facilities to the existing unit. The Centennial Wing was converted to additional acute medical beds. Major expansions occurred again in 1982, with the construction of the pediatric ward, and an additional 38-bed adult extended care unit. The South Tower expansion was officially opened in 1983, expanding VJH to 229 acute care beds. Renovations continued on into 1984, with every service either new or renovated. In 1997, Vernon Jubilee Hospital celebrated 100 years of service to the community of Vernon and surrounding areas.