Over $1 million was raised in support of expanding long-term care in Delta earlier this month.
Held on Nov. 4 at Tsawwassen Springs, Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation’s Bal du Moulin Rouge Paris Moonlight Gala raised $1,040,000 towards the foundation’s $18.25-million “Coming Home” capital campaign in support of the new Beedie Long Term Care Centre.
This fundraiser, presented by Ocean Trailer, brought together more than 350 business, community, government, and medical leaders for an evening of community spirit, live and online auction excitement, a trip raffle, a 50/50 draw, fine dining, and unique entertainment.
“We would like to thank everyone involved in making our gala an overwhelming success, including our committee led by co-chairs Don Sangster and Lois Wilkinson, emcee James Cybulski, auctioneer Ian Paton, all of our event volunteers, as well as foundation board and staff,” DHCHF executive director Lisa Hoglund said in a post on the foundation’s website.
“We also want to show our appreciation to our presenting sponsor, Ocean Trailer, and all our sponsors, donors and attendees. We are so grateful to our community who helped to make this gala a record year.”
Lead sponsors included Shato Holdings Ltd. (venue sponsor), the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority representing the Port of Vancouver (tribute sponsor), the City of Delta (health-care champion sponsor), RS Gill Express Ltd. (platinum sponsor) and Pinnacle Global Solutions (auction sponsor).
On June 8, the province announced plans to replace the 46-year-old Mountain View Manor adjacent to Delta Hospital with a new facility, expanding capacity at the site from 92 to 200 beds.
The new facility will be designed as small “households” accommodating 12 or 13 residents, each with their own single-bed room and bathroom. These units will also feature social and recreational spaces found in a typical home, such as a living room, dining room, activity space and access to the outdoors, according to a Ministry of Health press release.
There will also be community spaces and services for residents, families, visitors and staff, including art and activity rooms, a hair salon, a sacred space and a 32-space adult day program for people living more independently.
As well, an innovative stand-alone child daycare facility will be constructed and offer 49 spaces for families.
The new facility will be built using a “care community” model that takes lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic into account, with designs that use new best-practice infection-control standards to improve pandemic resiliency while also being culturally sensitive to serve a diverse population.
As well, Fraser Health will be partnering with local First Nations during the design phase to ensure the facility is a “culturally safe” care home.
Fraser Health will construct, own and operate the long-term care community on vacant land at the Delta Hospital site. The project is in the procurement phase, with construction expected to begin in 2025 and be complete in 2027.
Capital costs will be funded with $179.7 million from the Ministry of Health, plus a $18.25 million commitment by Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation.
The “Coming Home” capital campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the foundation’s 35-year history.
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