At its 2021 Annual General meeting on Thursday, September 23rd, the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation announced that it has achieved the goal of raising $10.4 million to build a new Emergency Department.

The good news was announced by the Chair of the Emergency Department Campaign Committee, Carol Biely. “The support and encouragement we have received throughout the Emergency Department Campaign has been exceptional” she said. “We have raised a large amount of money in a very short time. This reflects how much the hospital, and its wonderful staff, mean to Salt Spring residents and visitors”.

Carol Biely, who spearheaded the successful campaign, noted “we will now be moving on to the other needs of the hospital by maintaining a Capital Fund for future projects”. Executive Director Roberta Martell explained that while the Emergency Department campaign has achieved its ambitious target, ongoing fundraising continues on behalf of the hospital. She pointed out that “housing for staff has become a major issue and we are in preliminary discussions with Vancouver Island Health Authority about building a new medical imaging suite”.

Now that the funds for a new Emergency Department have been raised, the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation will be initiating the project, with construction set to commence in early 2022. More details on the construction schedule will be forthcoming soon, said incoming Chair Dave Taylor.

The entire board of directors for Lady Minto Hospital Foundation expressed its heartfelt gratitude for the generosity displayed by Salt Spring residents, visitors, and businesses. “It just confirms what we thought at the outset of the campaign back in the Spring of 2021”, said Dave Taylor. “Lady Minto is truly the beating heart of the community, and the support we have received from all islanders shows how much they care. We thank each and every person who helped us achieve this, and all the volunteers who put in untold hours to mount this campaign. Salt Spring will be strengthened for many years by your generosity”.

For more information or commentary, contact:

Dave Taylor, Lady Minto Hospital Foundation Chair of the Board dave.taylor@ladymintofoundation.com
Roberta Martell, Executive Director Roberta.martell@ladymintofoundation.com 250-538-4845

The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation operates on unceded Coast Salish territory, and our organization recognizes, honours and respects the Hul’qumi’num and the SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples’ stewardship of the territories of Salt Spring Island.