Kamloops is getting 125 much-needed residential beds for seniors now that Interior Health has reached a deal with Buron Healthcare to build a care facility in Brocklehurst.

When complete, the complex care facility will take in seniors who need 24-hour support seven days a week, Karen Bloemink, Interior Health's regional director of residential services, said Thursday.

"It's a good news story for the community of Kamloops," said Bloemink, adding it will ease the pressure felt at Royal Inland Hospital and other care homes.

"This will fill a need in Kamloops."

The facility will be located on a vacant lot owned by the IHA next door to the privately owned Riverbend Seniors Community on Tranquille Road. It is expected to open in 2013.

Bloemink said there is a demand for such a facility, but was unable to say what the wait list is.

"It's vague," she said. "Today's picture might be a lot different tomorrow."

Buron president Mary McDougall said she doesn't have specific numbers, but the beds should meet the current demand for complex care in Kamloops.

The 125 beds are the first phase of what will eventually be a much larger facility, she said. The number of beds will increase with the demand for care.

She said the facility is designed for seniors who live at a fair degree of risk because their personal independence is limited by physical and mental limitations.

"It's really based on need in terms of the health-care system and the measures of risk," said McDougall. "We will be addressing that."

Each patient will have his or her own bedroom. McDougall doesn't know how big the rooms will be.

Buron will hire from within the community. McDougall said 130 nurses, care attendants, laundry and dining support staff and housekeepers will be employed at the facility.

"We find the best talent is local. That will be our first choice," she said.

"We're really excited to be coming into Kamloops. We've heard great things about the community."

Bloemink said this the first publicly funded care facility to open in Kamloops since the 106-bed Ridgeview Lodge opened in Brocklehurst in September 2008.

Buron operates care homes in Penticton and Prince George. The company submitted one of eight proposals for design, construction and operation of the facility.