Community-led fundraising efforts raised more than $200,000 in 2025 to support the Bowmanville Hospital redevelopment, highlighting strong local support for the once-in-a-generation expansion of the healthcare facility.
The funds were raised through the We Care, We Can awareness initiative, launched in 2022 by the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation to encourage businesses, residents, and community groups to host creative fundraising events in support of the redevelopment campaign. In 2025 alone, the foundation was selected as the beneficiary of 58 community fundraising events.
Bowmanville Hospital Foundation CEO Maria Petri said the level of community engagement has been inspiring as the foundation marks its 50th anniversary. She noted the campaign is helping advance plans for life-saving equipment and expanded patient services.
Local initiatives included contributions from businesses, service organizations, and residents, ranging from car washes and dental office promotions to retirement home markets and sold-out charity events. Organizers said these efforts created meaningful community connections while supporting a shared vision for improved local healthcare.
The redevelopment project is supported by a $20 million provincial investment for planning and design and will more than double the hospital’s capacity. Plans include up to 32 new beds, expanded emergency, critical care, and ambulatory services, a rooftop helipad, and new dialysis facilities.
Two major builders — Bowmanville Health Partners and PCL Partnerships — were shortlisted in 2024 to deliver the project. Once completed, the expansion will represent one of the largest redevelopments in Lakeridge Health’s history.
The total project cost has not yet been finalized, but the foundation is expected to raise $110 million from the community, making it the largest fundraising campaign in its history. The We Care, We Can campaign was launched in 2019 and received a major boost in 2023 through a $3.8 million donation from the late Bowmanville businessman Harry Locke.
