SASKATOON – Thursday at 10 a.m. will be the official ground breaking for the long awaited Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan. The CEO of the Hospital’s foundation says it’s a dream that’s been years in the making.
“It’s a huge day for Saskatchewan,” Brynn Boback-Lane told Global Saskatoon’s Morning News.
“This is really a dream come true, this is something we’ve waited for, for a long time.”
For years Boback-Lane and the Foundation have worked to raise money for the hospital, and she says many of the “extras” in the $235-million project reflects the generosity of Saskatchewan people.
All of its 176 in-patient rooms will be private, allowing families to be alone with their children during what can be a very difficult time.
There will also be sleeping areas for parents, to make the hospital stay a little easier. Activity rooms for different age groups are another feature – even an outdoor play area right off the pediatric ward.
And, she added, specialized equipment to meet the unique needs of children.
“A lot of thought, a lot of input,” said Boback-Lane. “A lot of families have described what they wanted to see through this … we’ve been able to source the funding to make sure those things get into that hospital.”
“It really is spectacular,” she added. “I’ve seen the interiors and enhancements that are going in to really serve our patients much, much better.”
The hospital is scheduled to be finished in 2017. Over the summer part of the parkade at Royal University Hospital was demolished to make way for the hospital – along with the skywalk that linked the parkade to the hospital.
“It’s simply amazing,” said Boback-Lane. “We are changing the landscape of pediatric and maternal health care through this incredible project.”
Access to the site for the official opening is restricted, but Global News will be streaming it live on its website.
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