Building a new SickKids. The first time.
GUEST BLOG: Lisa Charendoff, Associate Director, Community Stakeholder Relations, SickKids Foundation
The gentleman was quietly sitting in the SickKids atrium, his hand resting atop a walking cane. He was gazing up at the space, taking in all of the hustle and bustle. He rose to greet me, tall and elegant in a jacket, tie and dress pants. Today was a special day. 90-year-old George Wilson was visiting SickKids for the first time in more than 30 years.
George is an architect. Most of his professional career was devoted to SickKids, and he is immensely proud of his association with this hospital. He had learned of our new campaign, and our intention to rebuild, and wanted a chance to walk the hallways one more time – sharing his recollections, and considering the impact of this hospital since it first opened on University Avenue.
George is an architect. Most of his career was devoted to SickKids, and he is immensely proud of his association with the hospital.
George’s memories of the time he was approached in the hallway by the hospital’s CEO, John T Law, and given marching orders to find a way to get Ministry of Transportation permission to include a helipad on the roof of the Elm Street Wing were crystal clear. This was to be the first official rooftop helipad in Canada. It had become a priority for the hospital’s leadership team – transporting critically ill children from the Malton airport (now Pearson), through city streets, to downtown Toronto was simply too slow. George recalled working with George Lloyd of the Ministry. The initial application was turned down. In chatting with the current Director of Facilities Planning, Peter Sawras, George rhymed off numbers related to the load and necessary clearances with accuracy and perfect recall. Thankfully, SickKids, got permission. The helipad has been instrumental in saving lives since 1972.
We toured one of the old operating rooms in the Hill wing, now used as a teaching/simulation facility. George remembered being asked to observe a surgery as he was designing this space, so that he could understand how important it was that the ‘new’ operating rooms have the floors as clear as possible. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose!
As we began to wrap up our tour, archivist David Wencer provided George with an opportunity to view a number of artifacts from the archives – including sets of architectural drawings which bore his name and stamp. This was a glimpse of the past. Before leaving, George put on VR goggles and was able to see the future. He watched a 360° video demonstrating the difference between an out-of-date OR and a newly-renovated one, and our current NICU compared to a more modern unit. He was thrilled.
George was accompanied on this visit by one daughter, two sons, his stepson, and a grandson. They had grown up hearing about his passion for SickKids. It was a gift for them to be able to walk in his footsteps in this historic building – one that means so much not only to George Wilson himself, but to the city, the province, and generations of children whose lives have been transformed within these walls.
