Don Crosby • The Sun Times (Owen Sound) • September 30, 2017 – Flato Developments of Markham is donating $500,000 over 10 years to the Markdale hospital.The company recently launched Phase 3 of Edgewood Greens, an 800-unit housing development in Dundalk. “My longstanding belief is we’re in the business of not just building homes, but communities,” said Flato president Shakir Rehmatullah, who recognizes that Dundalk residents rely on the Markdale hospital’s services.“It’s a way of saying we’re supporting the community and that should make them proud and that should make them feel they bought their home from a builder who cares, who is involved in the community. We’re not there to build the homes and we’re gone. We’re going to be here, we’re going to stay around and we want to work with the community,” Rematullah said. The financial contribution will consist of annual installments of $50,000 over the next 10 years.Darlene Lamberti, co-ordinator for the Centre Grey Health Services Foundation, said Flato’s contribution will enable the hospital to continue to improve and update health care services in the current Centre Grey Hospital and later in the new Markdale hospital expected to completed in 2022.
“These funds will go toward much needed equipment, including stationary and portable cardiac monitors… central monitors will allow nursing staff to monitor heart health in several patients at once and new defibrillators for the ER and patient rooms,” said Lamberti.
Faye Harrison, chair of the Centre Grey Health Services Foundation said that that Flato donation will help ensure that local healthcare will continue to be available for families in the current hospital and in the new hospital for years to come.
“It also serves as an important reminder that fundraising-particularly in smaller communities, is on ongoing process that’s needed to keep hospital services running smoothly,” she said.
In recognition of the $500,000 commitment, the lobby of the Markdale Hospital will be named in honour of the Flato Development Inc., and a sign to be installed in the current Centre Grey Hospital and later moved to the lobby of the new Markdale hospital once it’s completed in 2022.
“Shakir, Flato’s president, really walks the talk when it comes to being supportive of the community and this is our way of recognizing that commitment,” Harrison said.
Paul McQueen, mayor of Grey Highlands, which includes Markdale, said Flato’s donation is really great news.
“We have a private home builder and developer who is not only investing in our area but is clearly committed to the health and wellbeing of our community,” McQueen said.
The Centre Grey Services Foundation is responsible for raising funds for the Markdale Hospital, which serves municipalities of Grey Highlands, Southgate, Chatsworth and parts of West Grey. The hospital has 83 full and part time employees and offers 24/7 emergency care and 14 bed in patient services, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services and ambulatory care.
Flato Developments Inc. has a full range of home designs, from town homes and semis to luxury singles and high rise condominiums, as well as commercial developments, with current projects in Brampton, Richmond Hill, Markham, Woodbridge, Caledon and Dundalk.