Former Penticton residents George and Sylvia Melville have donated $1.5 million to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation’s fundraising campaign to supply medical equipment for the new Patient Care Tower at Penticton Regional Hospital.

It is easy to see the natural progression that has George and Sylvia Melville feeling extremely proud and privileged to be able to assist with the upcoming expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital.

George and Sylvia have steeped family ties with Penticton and area. Tom and Betty Melville, George’s parents, were deeply embedded in the community. For a number of years, his father served as the Chairman of the Penticton Hospital Board, and his mother, with her background in nursing, was a valuable volunteer with the Penticton Hospital’s Women’s Auxiliary.

Both George and Sylvia graduated from Penticton Secondary School where they met. They eventually married and both of their children were born at Penticton Regional Hospital. Today, they have a summer home in Peachland, where they spend many weeks together with their growing family.

“The Okanagan region is so special to our family,” says George Melville. “Sylvia and I, along with our children, are thrilled to be able to give back in such a meaningful way.”

George and Sylvia have always been community-minded and have invested their time in causes that are important to their family. At the heart of this tremendous donation is a deep love of the Okanagan, and they are thrilled to be in a position to contribute to such a worthwhile endeavour.

They both realize the terrific significance of a trusted regional hospital and feel that by assisting with the Penticton Hospital expansion, they can encourage even more strength in healthcare for the people of the South Okanagan.

Janice Perrino, Executive Director of the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation says, “We are so honoured that the Melville Family has chosen to support the Penticton Regional Hospital in such a generous way. Their contribution will help so many other families in the Okanagan area.”

George, co-owner of very successful Boston Pizza International which opened its first franchise restaurant in Penticton in the early 1970s, has received numerous awards honouring his exemplary business acumen. These include induction into the B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame, the Business Laureates of B.C. Hall of Fame, and being honoured as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C.

George has served on many volunteer boards. Currently he serves as Chancellor of Kwantlen Polytechnic University in the Lower Mainland.

Construction of the new tower at PRH will start in the spring of 2016 and should be completed by late 2019.