Local philanthropists and Burnaby residents Betty Beedie and her son Ryan Beedie have announced a "transformative" $4-million matching gift for the second phase of the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment.
The donation comes after the province released the $1.7-billion business plan for Phase 2 of the hospital redevelopment, according to a press release.
"When the foundation shared the vision of the new acute care tower, I knew that it was something we had to support, together as a community," said Ryan Beedie in the release.
"Our family will match the next $4 million in donations, with the hopes of inspiring the generous and passionate people in this community to give to their local hospital in support (of) this life-changing project."
Phase 2 of the redevelopment includes a new 12-storey acute care tower, which will be named the Keith and Betty Beedie Acute Care Tower.
Kristy James, Burnaby Hospital Foundation president and CEO, thanked the Beedies for the donation.
"We are putting the challenge out to our community to help us support the expansion of medical services that will soon be available to all residents, providing better care close to home for all," James said.
Steven McKoen, the chair of Burnaby Hospital Foundation’s board of trustees, said the donation means every dollar raised will have double the impact.
"Every gift donated, no matter the size, will have twice the effect on advancements in healthcare in our community."
The Beedies, local developers, have now pledged a total of $12 million towards Burnaby Hospital Foundation in the last three years.
