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View of Maple Ridge hospital after the 3rd floor expansion that shows vehicles in the parking lot.
Early and later view of Maple Ridge hospital. These were put together by photographer Jim Penty who produced it while doing a Rotary Club calendar.
Maple Ridge General Hospital
In 1947, after many years of discussions about building a hospital, a hospital association formed. A membership drive started, and more than 1,500 people joined the association. Inspired by the enthusiasm of the people, the association seized the moment and pushed for their cause. However, arguments soon arose over the community's ability to pay for such a service, and the debate turned into a political battle. A group of influential citizens campaigned against the hospital, and a referendum on December 13, 1947, was defeated, with a vote of 919 in favour and 1,378 against. It took a lot of work in the following years, but another referendum was held on December 13th, 1954. This time the results were 1884 votes in favour of the hospital and 643 against.
The association purchased 14 acres of the Baillie Farm at the corner of 3rd Avenue (now Laity Street) and Lougheed Highway for $12,000. On February 2nd, 1957, the ceremonial sod turning took place on the hospital grounds.
Construction ran smoothly and just a year later on March 1st, 1958, the hospital opened its doors offering a two floor, 63 bed healthcare unit to serve the community. The new hospital employed a staff of 62 and a medical staff of eight doctors. That same year, the hospital received its first Certificate of Accreditation.
As the population grew, it became increasingly apparent that 63 beds were not sufficient to serve the needs of the local people. In answer to this demand, a third floor expansion opened for service on September 9th, 1967, bringing the hospital's bed capacity to 106. This addition brought a new laboratory, new physiotherapy and new emergency department.
The next physical change came in 1974 when a new kitchen and administration area were constructed and a 75 bed Extended Care Unit developed adjacent to the hospital. Creekside Manor opened 50 of its 75 extended care beds on June 1st, 1984, helping to ease the burden caused by a shortage of beds.
As the community continued to grow, so did the demands on the hospital. In 1991, a new emergency ward, a new trauma room and a new $1.5 million computer admitting system were added to the hospital. The management of Ridge Meadows Hospital was assumed by the Simon Fraser Regional Health Board in February 1996.
Care Life Maple Ridge, adjacent to Ridge Meadows Hospital and one of the most advanced health care facilities in B.C., opened in July 2006, providing a new home environment for 148 complex care residents (Baillie House), a new work environment for Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Home and Community Care and a home for the 10-bed McKenney Creek Hospice Residence.
In 2007, Fraser Health partnered with the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation to create new space for Emergency and Ambulatory Care Services, with a 2,950 square metre development.
As of March 2008, Ridge Meadows Hospital had 107 acute beds, approximately 1,135 employees, 90 active physicians and 500 volunteers.
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