Ticket buyers for the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation’s Lotto for Life will be hoping for a winning number.
But for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital’s expanded emergency department project, the 18th annual lotto is a surefire winner.
The foundation pledged $4 million toward the $36.9 million expansion – scheduled to open in 2012 – and all lotto proceeds will go to equipment purchases in the new ER.
The hospital’s emergency department sees more than 53,000 each year in a space designed for 15,000. It provides service to 147,000 citizens from Bowser to Ladysmith.
The new expansion will triple the size of the existing ER, and house both emergency and psychiatric services in one department.
Other features include dedicated stretcher bays, a dedicated X-ray room, natural light in all patient and staff areas and better infection control – thanks to isolation rooms and decontamination space.
Only 5,000 $100 tickets will be sold and last year, retired NRGH nurse Lillian Merritt and her husband, Frank, claimed the $100,000 Lotto for Life grand prize.
More than $240,000 worth of prizes are available this year including another $100,000 grand prize.
Lotto players must buy their ticket before midnight March 1 to be eligible for the March 11 early bird draw at Nanaimo North Town Centre. The final draw takes places 1 p.m. April 16 at Country Club Centre.
To purchase tickets, please call 250-755-7640. To view a list of ticket outlets, please go to www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com.
