The Burnaby Hospital planning committee will hold its final two public meetings this week, on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Italian Cultural Centre in East Vancouver, 3075 Slocan Street, and Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bonsor Recreation Complex, 6550 Bonsor Ave.

Anyone in the community interested in presenting ideas or concerns is welcome to attend, or to book a time to make a brief presentation to the committee.

The final date for written submissions to the committee is Friday, Sept. 7.

The committee, co-chaired by MLAs Harry Bloy and Richard Lee, was struck in late April with the intention of gathering information and ideas for future hospital planning.

"Essentially it's about seeking the community's input on how to make Burnaby Hospital better," said Lee, who noted suggestions for improvement could include improved efficiency between departments, additional buildings on site, or input the regarding feasibility of a new site.

Previous sessions were held in north Burnaby, south Burnaby and central Burnaby.

An initial report is expected back this fall, as the first step in the master-planning process for the future of the hospital, which was built in the 1960s, with an extension added in the 70s.

Email mybbyhospital@hotmail.com to reserve a date and time to make a presentation, or to send in a written submission.

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