George Pearson Centre 2.65

George Pearson Centre is a long term residential care facility located in the Marpole neighbourhood of Vancouver, B.C., Canada and is currently owned and operated by Vancouver Coastal Health. George Pearson Centre was named after former BC Minister of Health, George S. Pearson. Built in 1952 to originally treat tuberculosis patients and then polio patients, in the 1960s the focus of George Pearson Centre changed to long term care for adults with disabilities.George Pearson Centre now operates as a residential care facility for people with a range of disabilities. Care services are provided by Vancouver Coastal Health, food services are contracted to Sodexo, housekeeping services to Compass Group Canada, laundry to K-Bro Linen.HistoryThe 264-bed building originally opened on May 14, 1952 as George Pearson Tuberculosis Hospital to treat people with Tuberculosis (TB). The plans to build Pearson predated World War II but were delayed by the war. The cost of building was $1,800,000. The first patients arrived before the grand opening. On April 9, 1952 nine Japanese men arrived; they had been waiting seven years in a Japanese internment camp hospital for a bed. TB rates were declining due to advances in treatment and antibiotics. In 1955, the Polio Pavilion was added for polio patients. From 1963 to 1965 about 130 patients were transferred to Pearson Hospital from the nearby Marpole and Haney infirmaries. Marpole Infirmary building was condemned and Haney facility became a treatment centre for people with alcohol addiction. When these new patients came to George Pearson, they brought with them the Marpole Women's Auxiliary a charity that continues to donate to and support the residents who reside there today.