RBC supports PRH tower

Photo: Penticton Museum & Archives

The Penticton Regional Hospital has received a large donation from an institution with longtime ties to Penticton, the Royal Bank of Canada.

The RBC Foundation announced Tuesday that it has donated $70,000 to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation to further its quest for new medical equipment to furnish the hospital's expansion.

The first RBC branch opened in Penticton in 1920, and the current manager of RBC's Apple Plaza branch Amy Bergen has ties to the Okanagan as well, visiting frequently while growing up.

"We came here almost every single year on vacation, so that made the move easy,” Bergen said.

Bergen has been manager with RBC for the past three years and in Penticton for 13, and her along with her employees' community commitment, made the decision to support the hospital easy.

"RBC has always looked for ways to support community initiatives and it’s not just RBC, it’s our employees who have a personal wish to do this. It goes hand in hand,” Bergen said. “One of my banking advisors plans a different community event every month that we support or go volunteer our time.”

Carey Bornn, executive director of the SOS Medical Foundation, said RBC’s donations makes a real dent in the hospital's $20 million campaign. 

“This donation from RBC reflects what tremendous support this project has received from all sectors of our community. Simply outstanding,” Bornn said.

The new six-storey tower at PRH will open April 19, and then construction will begin on a major upgrade to the Emergency Department.