Following the inaugural Dragon gala hosted by the Burnaby Hospital Foundation (BHF) on June 2, which raised over $100,000 to support the redevelopment of the hospital, the foundation hosted an inaugural Mayor’s Lawn Bowling Tournament last week.
Combining friendly competition for a worthy cause, the June 6 event, in partnership with the City of Burnaby, raised over another $50,000 for the hospital’s redevelopment.
"Our very first Mayor’s Lawn Bowling Tournament was an exceptional demonstration of our community’s spirit and willingness to come together to support local health care," Mayor Mike Hurley said in a news release. “The foundation, as well as all our participants, sponsors, business leaders, donors and volunteers, show such dedication to helping make a positive impact in our city,” he added.
With no major renovations in the last 50 years, Burnaby Hospital, one of the busiest in the Fraser Health Authority region, has reached its capacity, with about 200,000 patient visits a year, including 83,000 to the emergency department.
The construction of the first phase of redevelopment is intended to upgrade and modernize emergency care, surgery services, maternity and mental health at the hospital, and is expected to be completed by 2025.
The foundation highlighted that once the project is completed, the transformed hospital will have almost 50 per cent more beds and include expanded medical services.
“Witnessing the Burnaby community come together in such a remarkable way fills us with immense gratitude,” said Kristy James, president and CEO of Burnaby Hospital Foundation in the release. “Local health-care facilities are a crucial pillar of a healthy community, and Burnaby Hospital relies heavily on donations from our community to ensure their health and vitality. The foundation is deeply appreciative of the community’s commitment to support outstanding health care now, and in the future.”
The lawn bowling tournament introduced local brewers Dageraad Brewing as the winners of the debut tournament, followed by real estate developers Onni Group as runners-up.
The fundraising arm of Burnaby Hospital launched their Proud History, Bright Future campaign in February 2020 with an $8 million donation from Mrs. Betty Beedie.
The campaign’s Phase 1 fundraising goal of $30 million was achieved through $5 million donations from Jim Pattison and the City of Burnaby. The foundation will continue to hold fundraisers through the upcoming phases of redevelopment, which will bring improved medical services to Burnaby.
