In an effort to give back to the community and get behind a very worthy cause, Concert first made the commitment to donate its development and project management services to the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Association for their Burn Fund Centre building in 2008. In the years since, Concert has worked with the Fire Fighters’ Association through every step of the process. While the project was delayed due to the evolving requirements of the Centre and fundraising challenges, Concert is more committed than ever to making this much-needed facility a reality.
At the core of the project is filling the desperate need for temporary accommodations for out-of-town burn survivors and their families during treatment and recovery. Because Vancouver is the only Level 1 burn and trauma centre in the province, patients come from across BC and the Yukon for treatment at either the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn, Plastic & Trauma Unit at Vancouver General Hospital or at the Burn Program at BC Children’s Hospital. By incorporating eight affordable, temporary housing suites, out-of-town burn survivors and their families can say together during the recovery process in a supportive environment. Currently, out-of-town patients and their families must organize their own temporary accommodations during treatment and then must return to their own communities for recovery - possibly having to make several subsequent trips back to Vancouver for follow-up treatments.
In addition to the housing component, there will be communal amenity areas where families can seek the support of others who can relate to their experiences. The Centre would also include ground level retail to provide a sustainable, long-term endowment for the Burn Fund’s continued operations as well as office space for the Burn Fund organization which would double as a venue for regular support meetings for burn survivors.
To date, $10.5 million has been raised towards this project, and just $2.5 million stands in the way of construction commencing now that a conditional development permit has been issued. In order to help ensure this exciting project does indeed become a reality, Concert is now assisting the Burn Fund in securing charitable donations from the business community.
Concert is extremely proud to be associated with a project which will truly make a difference in the lives of burn survivors and their families.