Information bulletin
North Shore resident gifts record $25 million to Lions Gate Hospital
North Vancouver, B.C. – Longtime North Shore resident and local entrepreneur, Paul Myers, has donated $25 million to Lions Gate Hospital Foundation to support a future vision for redevelopment of the Lions Gate Hospital site.
Myers’ gift is the largest single donation made to a hospital foundation by an individual in British Columbia’s history.
“Thanks to the philanthropy of Paul Myers, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation is able to truly put money where it matters—towards supporting the best patient care,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “We thank him for his amazing gift, and recognize the role of the community, partners, and generous people like Paul play in providing great health care to residents of the North Shore.”
“This is an extraordinarily generous gift from an exceptional person,” said Judy Savage, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation President. “It marks the first step in addressing the challenges from Lions Gate Hospital’s aging infrastructure. This donation is truly representative of the incredibly generous community we have here on the North Shore.”
As a North Shore resident for more than 80 years, Myers started as an apprentice with North Vancouver’s Keith Plumbing & Heating Co. Ltd. 62 years ago and bought the business 10 years later. He also purchased Keith Panel Systems and established Keith Panel Systems USA Ltd., both highly successful companies in their industry.
“I’m just a plumber who worked hard and had some good luck in my life,” said Myers. “When I thought about where I could have the greatest impact, I immediately thought of Lions Gate Hospital. I learned about the impact the Foundation is having and its exciting plans for the future and knew this is where I wanted to make a difference.”
Plans for the redevelopment of the Lions Gate Hospital site have been under discussion for the last five years with more detailed planning involving staff and physicians beginning a couple of years ago.
“This type of ongoing community participation is essential to us achieving our vision for LGH,” said Mike Nader, chief operating officer, VCH-Coastal. “It’s only by working together with the Foundation as our partner and other key stakeholders that we’ll be able to meet the health care requirements of the North Shore and our other VCH-Coastal communities”
In recognition of Myers’ gift, Lions Gate Hospital’s South Acute Tower will be named the Paul Myers Tower in his honour. Representative signage will be installed on the west side of the tower by the end of the year and in the meantime, a bio plaque and door signage will be installed at the tower’s 13th Street entrance.
Lions Gate Hospital Foundation has just launched the LGH Equipment Campaign to give LGH medical teams the vital tools and state-of-the-art technology they need to improve and save lives.
Established in 1987, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation is the fundraising arm of the hospital. In the past 10 years, the Foundation has raised more than $100 million to support the purchase of new medical equipment, facility upgrades, staff education and research. Recent projects include the Greta and Robert H.N. Ho Psychiatry and Education Centre (HOpe Centre).
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Louise Campbell
Director of Development
Lions Gate Hospital Foundation
Phone: 604-904-3561
Email: louise.campbell@vch.ca