Want to keep track of construction activity at Penticton Regional Hospital?
Our new webcam takes a picture of the PRH construction site every 60 seconds. Here’s the link: www.interiorhealth.ca/sites/BuildingPatientCare/PRH/Pages/cam.aspx. The image includes the base of the massive construction crane that now dominates Penticton’s skyline.
Read more: Crane in penticton skyline means hospital progress
Work on the $312.5-million PRH expansion will continue for another four years or so. The crane itself will likely be taken down before the end of 2017, once the exterior of the new six-storey patient care tower is completed. Work will then begin on completing the interior of the building. A second crane will also be brought in next year when construction begins on the adjacent parkade.
Once completed in early 2019, the focus will turn to Phase 2 – a major expansion of the Emergency Department to almost four times its current size.
In the meantime, the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation continues to seek support for our $20-million campaign to provide the medical equipment needed for the PRH expansion. We have already raised about $12 million in donations and pledges.
Fundraising efforts
One unique aspect of the SOS Medical Foundation’s fundraising efforts is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.
A key part of our campaign sees dozens of clinic and room-naming opportunities for major donors. More than 50 applications are already in the works, but plenty more are still available for individuals, service organizations and businesses. Their names can be associated with particular rooms or entire departments for the life of the building.
Naming opportunities range from $30,000 for one of the 84 new single-patient rooms, up to $10 million to name the entire tower. In addition to patient rooms, other areas available include diagnostic imaging (X-Ray), pre-surgical and other clinics, operating rooms and more.
Each naming application must be approved by Interior Health and the provincial government – a process that can take about six months to complete. Part of the application process includes a background story about the donor. This has proven to be extremely popular with many of our donors and is a great way to honour those in who give so much in support of our region’s acute care hospital. Donors can also remain anonymous if they prefer.
Thank you donors
Several organizations throughout the South Okanagan-Similkameen are among those contributing to our campaign. A big thank you to the women involved in the Survivorship dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors. They hosted the hilarious Boob Tour comedy show before a packed house at the Barking Parrot lounge at the Penticton Lakeside Resort on Oct. 6. Part of the proceeds will go to PRH.
Penticton Regional Hospital is also gaining support from the Kelowna area. A delegation from the Kelowna West chapter of the ACT/UCT (Associated Canadian Travellers/United Commercial Travellers) dropped off a cheque last week for $1,000. Club president Keith Preece had leg surgery performed at PRH and raves about the incredible care he received.
Finally, let me add to the accolades for former MP Fred King who passed away in late August at age 93. An overflow crowd turned out for Fred’s memorial service at Linden Gardens in Kaleden on Oct. 16. It was heartwarming to hear such touching stories about his life. After his retirement from politics, Fred served for 20 years on the SOS Medical Foundation board. He will truly be missed.
John Moorhouse is the development and communications officer for the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation. For information on donating, please call 250-492-9027 or visit our website sosmedicalfoundation.com.
