Community helps Wellington Rotary to Back the Build of the new hospital

Pictured on the future site of the new hospital (behind the current hospital) from left, are: Wellington Rotarian Trudy Brown; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; Wellington Rotarian Bill Pennell; and Lyn McGowan, president of the Rotary Club of Wellington. Briar Boyce photo

Rotary Club of Wellington members “dig” helping to build a new hospital in Prince Edward County.

Members presented $15,462.42 to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) this week – representing proceeds of their recent ‘Dig It’ fundraising dinner and dance.

“Everyone dug deep to raise these funds, and our club agrees that our local hospital is the heart of our community,” said Lyn McGowan, president of the Rotary Club of Wellington. “We believe our community must continue to have access to the best possible health care. A new hospital will not only replace an aging building; it will ensure patients of the hospital continue to have access to quality healthcare.”

With this gift, the club has raised more than $544,000 for the new hospital, and medical equipment needs for the current hospital. The club, with about 40 members, is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.

“We are grateful to the Wellington Rotarians and the donors in our community who supported Rotary’s fundraising dinner this year,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This generous gift brings us closer to building a hospital our community needs. Their commitment to inspire others reflects their strong values of giving back as a club and bringing our community together to provide the best possible care, close to home.”

The waiting area in the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Emergency Department will be named to recognize the club’s fundraising efforts achieved with the community’s generous support.

McGowan says Wellington Rotary is grateful to have had many community members contribute to helping make the club’s “Back the Build” aspirations a reality.

“We want to thank the Prince Edward County community who have supported our fundraising initiatives and to commend the club members for this amazing achievement.”

“Service Clubs such as Rotary play a significant role as they help to shape how health care will be delivered in our community for years to come,” said Nancy Parks, fundraising cabinet campaign chairperson. “Our new hospital will be built so those needing medical attention in our community will continue to receive the best care possible in a leading-edge facility, thanks in part to Wellington Rotary.”

The hospital foundation is raising $27M to help build the new hospital behind the current facility in Picton. The 96k square foot building is on schedule to open in 2027 with shovels expected to go into the ground in 2024. For more information, click here to visit the PECMHF website.