PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER Maine) — A major facelift is underway at Maine Medical Center and a large donation will be put towards construction costs. A $4 million gift from the family of late L.L. Bean president Leon Gorman was announced Tuesday.
It will aid the $525 million expansion and modernization project, scheduled to be completed in 2020. The project will create 128 new private patient rooms, and add 19 procedure rooms for surgeries, according to Maine Med.
Maine Medical Center's president and CEO, Rich Petersen, tells NEWS CENTER Maine in recognition of the gift, the new lobby will be named after Leon Gorman. Petersen described the future entrance as a welcoming location and the 'centerpiece' of the expansion. Renderings of the lobby show high ceilings with a modern design.
“We are incredibly honored and just grateful," said Petersen “It means an incredible amount. It falls into the category of one of the largest donations we’ve had, in particular, for a project like this.”
Leon Gorman served as a member of the Maine Medical Center Board of Trustees between 1985 and 1994. Lisa Gorman says the family wanted to contribute to provide patients and guests with a welcoming, open and shared space.
“This gift is a joint venture with Leon’s children, my wonderful stepchildren, Jeff and Sonya Gorman and Jennifer and Bennett Wilson. I like to think of our gift as the old and new generations coming together to show their love for Maine and their desire to ensure it has the most advanced medical services available,” said Lisa Gorman. “This is one of the most important gifts we can give to the people of Maine.”
A ribbon cutting and lobby naming ceremony will be held to honor the donation when construction wraps up.