Working in a 1960s-style maternity ward with one private recovery room and the ability to deliver just three babies at a time, Peace Arch Hospital's Dr. Grace Park has watched many expecting families tour the floor and decide to give birth elsewhere.

Park says up to 25 per cent of those in Peace Arch's catchment choose other hospitals.

However, with plans for a new, updated and modernized maternity ward already underway, Park, director of the facility's maternity clinic, is hoping to get those numbers back – and more.

The project – the third of five in Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation's $32-million Partners in Caring Campaign – will introduce the ward's first renovation since the mid-'80s.

Currently, under a 1960s-style model, the birthing experience at Peace Arch takes place in three rooms; one for assessment, one for labour and delivery and one for recovery.

Because there are just three small labour rooms, families can be sent as far as Burnaby and Richmond to deliver their babies.

All three rooms share one shower, which Park said offers little privacy between patients.

"Having to share a shower is a big issue during labour."

There are seven recovery beds; one room has four beds and one bathroom, while another has two beds and one bathroom. Only one bed is in a private room, and all seven share one shower.

The small size of the rooms means limited space for hospital staff as well as family, Park said, adding fathers sleep on mattresses on the floor.

To address the hospital's maternity needs, eight 400-square-foot single-family birthing rooms will be constructed, each of which will include a private bathroom with tub and shower, a sink, fridge, TV for educational purposes and a space for dads to sleep – not to mention ocean views.

Moving away from the clinical feel of the current birthing rooms, the new spaces are being designed with a warm, comforting atmosphere, where the labour, delivery and recovery all takes place.

"It will be very homelike," Park said. "That's what we're aiming for.

"I think it's going to be a pretty upscale place."

The renovated third-floor will also have a large nursery, enlarged staff lounge, an isolation room, two antepartum rooms, maternity clinic, a common area for families, a conference room, increased floor space, increased security measures and new, state-of-the-art equipment.

Construction for the $5.3-million project begins this fall, and is expected to be complete in September 2010.

The ward will be renovated in two phases so regular activity can continue throughout construction.

"I'm really thrilled we're getting increased capacity, which we really need," Park said. "We're getting new equipment and we're getting privacy for our patients."

The improvements will also benefit staff, as they will have more room to work and better equipment.

"It will be much easier for them. It will create a happier work environment."

Despite the limited resources available to the ward thus far, foundation executive director Jackie Smith said 800 babies are still born at the hospital each year.

"The number of births has still grown," she said, noting the high quality of care provided by staff. "Once we have the facilities that match (that care)... we'll repatriate those patients back, and get new patients, too."

While the Partners in Caring campaign targets various areas of local healthcare – it has already added acute care beds and an MRI to the hospital – Smith said the maternity project specifically has drawn a strong community response.

"There's been a little bit more excitement," she said, noting everyone has – or knows someone who has – had a baby. "It's a little more tangible."

The maternity ward isn't just a place where people experience a special time in their lives, but it's a connection to the history of the hospital and the community, Park added.

"It does bring everybody together, and I do feel like maternity is the heart of the community hospital."

To donate, or for more information, visit www.peacearchhospital.com or call 604-535-4520.