Below are some commonly asked questions regarding the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre. SPIN will continue to update this article throughout the public process. To share what you’d like to know please fill out our survey.
Editor’s note: This article was updated March 18 to reflect the most up-to-date information.
Why is the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre closed?
The Sun Peaks Community Health Centre suspended operations in October 2025, as the municipality seeks out a new operator for the clinic.
As the owner of the health centre building, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality ended its lease with the previous operator of the clinic, Supporting Team Excellence with Patients Society (STEPS) in July, citing operational challenges including reduced hours, long wait times, lack of locums and limited access to urgent care.
What is the timeline for getting the health centre reopened?
There is not currently a specified date for getting the health centre reopened.
“We understand the questions, anxiety and concerns in the community,” chief administrative officer for the municipality Deanna Campbell said. “The municipality and council are doing their very best to navigate this process with the best interests of the community in mind, but it is complex.”
What is a request for proposals?
A request for proposals is a public document used to solicit bids for a project or role, offering an overview of specifications, needs and requirements.
After the announcement that STEPS would no longer operate the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre, council devised the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre Working Group, which recommended moving forward with a request for proposals as “due process and transparency [were] emphasized as vital to public confidence and political accountability,” the working group’s report states. This report was made public during the Oct. 21, 2025 council meeting.
The deadline for submissions for the request for proposals was Sept. 30, and one proponent, Dr. Catherine Nowierski applied.
What happened with that proposal?
Over the course of five months, the municipality and Nowierski “worked diligently to reach a final agreement that would allow the health centre to reopen as quickly as possible,” according to a municipal statement shared Feb. 27.
Citing the inability to reach “mutually acceptable terms,” the municipality announced Nowierski withdrew her proposal.
What now?
During a March 10 council meeting, municipal staff recommended sourcing a consultant to take on the renewed search for an operator to ensure there is a dedicated team responsible for the process.
“The previous process took up a substantial amount of staff time and resources which has led to the delay and or inability to advance a significant amount of other work and move forward on other critical priorities,” the staff memo to council stated.
Mayor Rob O’Toole sought an amendment to the recommendation, directing staff to come back to council with a precise cost and specific consultant before moving forward.
“We can make the decision from there, once we’ve also decided on what the broad scope might be,” he said.
According to the memo, a high-level overview of the consultant’s responsibilities would include revisiting both the working group’s report and re-posting a RFP. This new RFP “could include a draft lease and partnering agreement framework/template for certainty,” the memo stated.
The consultant would also be responsible for distributing the RFP broadly amongst relevant networks. Additional support would include assisting the Sun Peaks Health Association. While the health association has a governance role, it could take on interim or potentially long-term operations until a permanent operator is secured, according to the memo.
Are there health care services in Sun Peaks?
Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) confirmed Nowierski will be seeing patients out of the ski patrol facility at 3115 Creekside Wy., effective March 12.
“SPR is pleased to be able to help facilitate an immediate solution that provides local residents continued access to a family physician,” SPR’s director of communications, Christina Antoniak told SPIN via email.
“Dr. Nowierski has already worked with Sun Peaks Mountain Patrol to provide on-site medical support for guests,” she added. “In addition to this ongoing collaboration, she will now operate her independent medical practice within the same facility through this agreement with SPR and be able to serve patients from the Sun Peaks to Heffley community.”
The Sun Peaks Ski Patrol facility is open seven days a week, however details regarding Nowierski’s schedule are still being determined, according to Antoniak.
Residents can book appointments online at sunpeaksmedical.ca.
What happened to other family medical providers in Sun Peaks?
Dr. Shane Barclay, who worked at the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre for six years, retired in June 2024. Dr. Signy Frank, another physician at the clinic relocated to Kamloops in September 2025 after over seven years practicing in Sun Peaks. She still works for STEPS.
“Although this transition was not part of my original plan, many circumstances have led me to make this very difficult decision to relocate my practice,” she shared in a statement. “After much reflection, I believe that relocating will allow me to continue to provide the highest quality of care for my patients.”
How can I get my medical records?
The municipality does not have access to patient medical records. However, residents who find a new family doctor should inform them of their previous physician to initiate record transfers.
Former patients of STEPS can visit the stepshealth.ca website and email a chart transfer request on the contact us page, or complete a form in person at the STEPS Northshore CHC located at 202B – 780 Windsor Ave.
How can residents contribute their thoughts on the process?
Sun Peaks Independent News has created a survey to learn more about residents’ thoughts and feelings regarding the process to find a new operator for the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre. Please fill out this form to share your thoughts.
Those interested in connecting with the municipality can email council directly, send a letter directly to council members or the mayor to be included in the agenda or speak as a delegation at the meeting. If it is a new topic, the request must be submitted before 1 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the council meeting.
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