Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan expands to help families in need

Watch above: expansion at Ronald McDonald House is complete

SASKATOON – Twenty-nine years ago to the day, Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan opened its doors to families needing a home away from home.

Fast forward to Friday and what could be deemed the second phase of the home is being unveiled. A newly renovated and expanded space has now more than doubled in size.

“We’ve added on 30,000 square feet to make it a total of 42,000 square feet for families to live in,” said Tammy Forrester, executive director for Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan.

In 2007, officials said Ronald McDonald House had to turn away one in every three families requesting a room. Five years later a ground–breaking took place and the finishing touches on this latest phase are expected by mid-October.

“People come through the front doors of the home and go ‘ahhh I’m home’ and that’s great because that’s what it’s supposed to be, its supposed be a place where they just feel like they’ve let a load off and they’re relieved here a little bit,” added Forrester.

Any family who lives 40 kilometres or more outside of Saskatoon and has a child 18 years and younger receiving medical treatment in the city is welcome to stay at the home, a comfort to many families during the most difficult of times.

“On and off probably every month since October of last year, we’ve likely stayed in the house more than we’ve been at home,” said Carri Akre who describes her stay with her daughter, Nevaeh.

At a cost of just $10.00 a night, Carrie says she could focus on her daughter’s health and not the hundreds of dollars she might be spending on hotel rooms.

Now even more families will get this opportunity.

“Right now we have 23 families that have access to the house by Monday we’ll be able to open it to 30 families and then within a couple weeks we’ll be able to open all 34 rooms,” said Forrester.

This compared to just 13 rooms that existed in the original home.

A $10-million capital fundraising campaign made the renovation and expansion possible, the home now includes a rowdy room for children, more than six sitting areas and two large kitchens with a central dining room.

“Being able to walk around the kitchen without hitting six different families it’s been nice, not that I don’t love talking with the families but it’s nice to have your space when you need it,” added Akre.

Another unique feature of the home is a breastfeeding room that also serves as a day use room for families who live in bedroom communities who just need a break from the hospital.

“Being here and being so close is what is needed for families,” explained Akre.