Family’s $25,000 pledge ‘Backs the Build’ for County hospital

At the presentation of support from the Ward family were Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation, Marthe Robertson, campaign manager with PECMH Foundation, Fran Donaldson, director with PECMHF, Barbara McConnell, vice-chair of the PECMH Foundation, Dr. Elizabeth Christie, Dr. David Beach, Dr. Blair Scrivens, Dr. Donald Koval, Dr. Sarah LeBlanc, Dr. Margaret Tromp and Monica Alyea, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation. At front are Tim Ward and Steve Ward, second generation owners of Quinte’s Isle Campark.

For the Ward family, the decision to ‘Back the Build’ in support of the proposal to rebuild Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital wasn’t difficult.

“We see our local hospital as one of the high priority assets in our community so we want to invest in the bright, healthy future ahead for the new PECMH,” said Tim Ward, who with Steve Ward are second generation owners of Quinte’s Isle Campark.

Members of the PECM Hospital Foundation were on hand Friday to accept the first installment of the campground’s $25,000 pledge – to be paid in $5,000 installments over the next five years.

Steve Ward says one of the reasons the campground decided to ‘Back the Build’ was so that people could see that local businesses believe in the hospital.

Both Tim and Steve have personal connections to PECMH as their children were born in the current hospital, all delivered by Dr. Blair Scrivens.

“What better way to give back to our community than investing in the new hospital,” said Tim Ward. “We’re very lucky to have a hospital so close to home, and we’d like to keep it that way.”

“We can’t thank the Ward family enough for their generous donation to our ‘Back the Build’ initiative,” said Shannon Coull executive director, PECMH Foundation. “Community businesses, like Quinte’s Isle Campark, truly make the difference between a good hospital and a great hospital.”

The first stage of the five-stage planning process for the new hospital set by the Ministry of Health was approved last February. The stage two plan is being prepared, outlining operational needs and space requirements for the new facility.

The proposal focuses on the same services in a better space with the highest standards of infection control. Most inpatient rooms will have a private washroom. The emergency department will include more private and flexible facilities.

“It will be built to handle everything from fish hooks to cardiac events,” said Coull. “Early commitments from local businesses, like Quinte’s Isle Campark speak to the importance of community involvement and the impact that it has on the quality of care for those residing and visiting our County and who use PECMH. We are so grateful for the Ward family’s support and interest in the future of our hospital,” said Coull.

Groups, businesses and individuals interested in learning more about the Back the Build Campaign, should call Shannon at 613-476-1008 ext. 4503 or Marthe at 613-476-1008 ext. 4502. Information can also be found at www.backthebuild.ca

Since its beginning in 1985, the PECMH Foundation has raised more than $6 million for medical equipment and building renovations.

Annually, the Foundation funds the purchase of an average of $400,000 in medical equipment. Now the Foundation is also responsible for raising the community’s share of $12.7 million for the new hospital, plus an estimated $3 million for equipment to be moved into the new hospital. All together, the Foundation expects it will need to raise $16.5 million over the next five years.

“PECMH Foundation’s job is to serve the funding needs of our hospital; from the bricks and mortar building itself to the repairs, maintenance and purchase of high priority medical equipment needed for patient care,” said Monica Alyea, chairperson of the Foundation. “The new hospital project will be the single biggest public build in the history of the County and we are thrilled to welcome Quinte’s Isle Campark and the Ward family to our network of supporters.”