It took the power of community and a steadfast passion to never give up.
Richmond raised its voices around the need for a new health care tower to replace the original that was built in the 1960s.
From the young to the young at heart and from businesses to small associations, the community joined hands for a common purpose. The local government also became a champion.
Letters were written, petitions were signed - all demanding the outdated and seismically unsafe structure be replaced. The outpouring of support has not been just for individual need, but for the sake of the rapidly growing population in our community.
Since the original tower was built, Richmond has quadrupled in size and hospital beds have less than doubled. The media not only caught wind of the crusade, but helped tell the story.
The Province listened to our community, and took action.
So, when BC Premier John Horgan unveiled plans to break ground on the new Acute Care Tower by 2020, donors, community leaders and hospital staff roared with applause in front of a dozen news cameras gathered at Richmond Hospital to capture the milestone event.
So far, 27 million dollars has been raised by donors who have been committed to a new chapter for health care in Richmond.
“There are many authors in this story. People came together. The Community made this happen,” says Natalie Meixner, President and CEO of Richmond Hospital Foundation. “We couldn’t be more proud to be part of a diverse community that cares so deeply about working together for a shared goal, especially when that goal is not just for us, but for the future.”
The Foundation plans to raise another 23 million dollars while the Province and Vancouver Coastal Health will round out the full budget.
