John McCall MacBain (pictured) grew up in Niagara Falls. Over the years, his family and foundation have given millions to a variety of projects and initiatives around the city. Photo credit: Niagara Health Foundation
The South Niagara Hospital project has received yet another major donation.
On Thursday, March 9, the Niagara Health Foundation revealed that John and Marcy McCall MacBain, via the McCall MacBain Foundation, have committed $5 million toward Niagara Falls’ new mega-hospital to be located at the corners of Montrose and Biggar roads.
The McCall MacBains represent the project’s eighth “founding donor” celebrated by the foundation over the last several months. Spencer Fox of E.S. Fox Ltd., Mark Basciano of Mountainview Homes, Angelo Butera of Panoramic Properties, the Rankin family, Guery Goyo of Villarboit Group of Companies, Domenic DiLalla of Centennial Construction, and Harry Oakes on behalf of the Oakes Family all previously pledged between $5 million and $2 million for the new hospital.
“We are incredibly grateful to the McCall MacBain Foundation for their support of the It’s Our Future campaign,” said Andrea Scott, President and CEO of the Niagara Health Foundation.
“This donation will help us build a world-class hospital that will provide the highest quality healthcare services to the people of Niagara. Their generosity is a testament to their commitment to making a positive impact in the Niagara community.”
Originally from Niagara Falls, John McCall MacBain, an AN Myer grad, and his wife Marcy have been long-time supporters of the city.
The pair have given millions to the community over the last few decades, including to the community centre named in honour of John’s parents (former MP Al MacBain and wife Viola), Family and Children’s Services Niagara, the Pathstone Foundation, and countless scholarships for students.
“I feel fortunate to have grown up in Niagara Falls and giving back to the community has always been important to me,” said John. “We all need healthcare at one time or another, and the Niagara South Hospital will help meet the evolving needs of our community.”
“I’m also thrilled that this gift will support an excellent teaching and learning environment for the next generation of healthcare workers, including for local talent.”
The McCall MacBain’s donation will specifically go toward the building of a 175-seat teaching auditorium that will enable on-site educational learning for medical students and current healthcare professionals. In recognition of their gift, the space in the Interprofessional and Learning Centre will be named “The MacBain Family Auditorium”.
“Our hearts are so big with gratitude for this incredible gift from the McCall MacBain Foundation. John grew up in Niagara Falls and has never forgotten his roots,” said It’s Our Future campaign co-chairs Mayor Jim Diodati and Harry Oakes.
“We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for this hospital. It goes to show that, well beyond our own community, people know how this will transform healthcare for the better in Niagara for generations.”
To date, the South Niagara Hospital fundraising campaign has secured over $32 million of its $40 million community goal.
The rest of the near $200 million required to be raised locally will come from municipal sources and Niagara Health.
At the end of February, Niagara Health and Infrastructure Ontario announced that EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare (EDIH) was awarded a fixed-price contract of approximately $3.6 billion to design, build, finance, and maintain the facility.
Site work on the new hospital is set to commence this July. The hospital will take five years to build, with occupancy planned for 2028.
The 1.3-million-square-foot facility will offer a full scope of hospital services including emergency, critical care, diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical services, as well as centres of excellence in complex care, wellness in aging, and stroke.
The new hospital will be 12 storeys tall and have up to 469 beds, of which a significant portion will be new, increasing Niagara Health’s capacity to provide inpatient services for the region.
The site will have advanced infection prevention and control measures and has been planned with the space and infrastructure to accommodate new and emerging healthcare technology.
