Over a dozen philanthropists have now contributed substantial gifts toward the community’s local share of the project. Artist rendering of the future hospital site. Photo credit: Niagara Health
On Thursday, August 17, the Niagara Health Foundation announced the latest benefactor on its growing list of ‘Founding Donors’ supporting the South Niagara hospital project.
Tony and Connie Zappitelli and family have committed $1 million to help make the new hospital at the corners of Montrose and Biggar roads in south Niagara Falls a reality.
In honour of their “transformative” gift, the staff terrace at the new medical facility will be named the “Tony and Connie Zappitelli & Family Staff Terrace.”
“We are proud to contribute to the South Niagara hospital, we hope this gift encourages other businesses and families from all over Niagara to support,” Tony and Connie shared. “It would be nice if none of us needed the hospital, but should you have the need, you will have one of the finest hospitals at your disposal.”
According to the Niagara Health Foundation, the Zappitellis, who own the iconic Zappi’s Pizza on Stanley Ave. in Niagara Falls, were inspired by “the generosity and commitment of others within the community” and decided to donate to the project.
“This transformative gift reflects their profound gratitude for the support their business ventures have received over the past five decades from the residents of Niagara Falls and the surrounding region,” said the Foundation.
“As new residents of Port Colborne, they keenly understand the significance of an updated and centrally located hospital poised to address the healthcare needs of a growing and aging population.”
Thus far, the It’s Our Future community fundraising campaign has raised $60 million in contributions towards the local share of the South Niagara hospital project.
Other ‘Founding Donors’ include Spencer Fox of E.S. Fox Ltd., Mark Basciano of Mountainview Building Group, the Angelo Butera Family, Beth and Tom Rankin and family, Guery Goyo and family, Dominic Dilalla and family, the Oakes Family, McCall MacBain Foundation, Jim Pattison, the Marotta Family, the Sottile Family, and the LJ Mian Family.
Greg and Diane Slaight also dedicated a portion of their recent $60 million donation to Niagara Health to the South Niagara hospital.
“We are so thankful to Tony, Connie and the Zappitelli family for supporting the new South Niagara hospital,” President and CEO of the Niagara Health Foundation Andrea Scott said.
“Their support means so much, and we share their hope that their gift might inspire others in the region to support bringing a world-class healthcare facility to Niagara.”
The South Niagara hospital is set to be a cutting-edge acute care facility, spanning 1.3 million square feet and housing 469 private rooms. Distinguished by its centers of excellence in complex care, wellness in aging and stroke care, the hospital “embodies a vision of advanced healthcare that will attract the foremost talents in the medical field.”
In February 2023, EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare was awarded a $3.6 billion contract to design, build, finance, and maintain the facility.
Last month, official ground-breaking took place, with Premier Doug Ford on hand for the occasion.
The multibillion-dollar Niagara Falls facility is one of the single largest design, build, finance, and maintain investments for a new healthcare project in provincial history.
The hospital is set to open summer 2028.
