The entrance to a new state-of-the-art emergency and urgent care facility at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) has been named in honour of the founder of Sikhism.

Premier Gordon Campbell joined by representatives from Fraser Health and Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation unveiled recently plans for the Guru Nanak Emergency Services Front Entrance, which will be the main entryway to the new emergency centre.

While privately-funded buildings have been named after Catholic saints in the past, this is one of the rare times that a site at a publicly-funded building has been named after a religious figure.

Premier Campbell, however, does not foresee any controversy over the matter. "The naming of the entrance to the Surrey Memorial Hospital’s new emergency centre after Guru Nanak Dev Ji is a fitting and lasting tribute to the dedication of the South Asian community to health care in this region," said Campbell at the recent unveiling.

The idea grew from conversations between the foundation and members of the community, added foundation President/CEO Jane Adams. "We want to recognize and thank the South Asian community."