North Shore plumber makes record donation to LGH Foundation
An iconic North Shore company making a lasting impact on another iconic North Vancouver institution. That’s what occurred this morning at the HOpe Centre when Paul Myers – the long-time owner of Keith Plumbing & Heating – gave $25 Million to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. This generous offer is the largest gift from an individual to a hospital foundation in BC’s history and will help support a future vision for redevelopment of the Lions Gate Hospital site.
As the humble owner of the company for more than 50 years, Myers grew up on the North Shore and has been a resident here for 80+ years. While he describes himself as someone who “likes to fly under the radar” he’s earned himself some time in the spotlight with his donation.
“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.”
After starting as an apprentice at Keith Plumbing & Heating 62 years ago, he’s now in a position to make a transformational gift to the hospital where all of his kids were born and where he’s come after “breaking a few bones” during his years on the North Shore.
In recognition of his gift, Lions Gate Hospital’s South Acute Tower will be named the Paul Myers Tower in his honour. 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.
“This kind of donation, and the community involvement it can generate, bring a community closer together and give residents a common bond around something as central to our health as Lions Gate Hospital,” says VCH-Coastal Chief Operating Officer Mike Nader.
“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.”
Planning process gets underway in October
Plans for the redevelopment of the Lions Gate Hospital site have been under discussion for the last few years with the last round of work involving staff, physicians and health care planners producing a high level master plan in 2013.
Starting next month, more detailed planning and consultation with staff and physicians across the LGH site will begin with a goal of developing a concept plan that can be presented to the provincial government for their consideration in 2016.
The planning process will be conducted by a project team headed by Leanne Appleton, Clinical Director of the LGH Redevelopment Project who, as former Acute Services Director for LGH is in a unique position to understand the workings of the site.
“It’s essential that we work with our clinical and support staff and our physicians who will contribute to shaping our patient care in the future here at our LGH Acute site,” says Leanne, “which is why engagement will commence in October and November, with multiple group sessions and meetings for each department and specialty area.”
There will be more detailed communication about the planning and consultation process in the next few weeks once meetings, rooms and other details have been finalized.
For more information on Paul Myers and the donation made to the LGH Foundation, go to https://www.lghfoundation.com/news/north-shore-resident-gifts-record-25-million-to-lions-gate-hospital-2/