Ronald McDonald House to open new facility in Prince Albert

The Saskatchewan government has announced $3.5 million for a new Ronald McDonald House in Prince Albert.

This is part of $10 million the province has devoted to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), with $6.5 million going toward the construction of a location in Regina announced on Feb. 24.

The Prince Albert design includes 12 bedrooms, a smudge room, a communal kitchen, a dining room, a living room, a play space and a family games room. The facility is meant to provide a "home-away-from-home" for families with children experiencing serious health issues.

At a news conference Friday, Premier Scott Moe said the facility, which will be built at 791 25th Street W., will provide much needed support to families whose children are undergoing treatments in Prince Albert.

"The closer that we can treat our children to home when they need health-care treatment, the better they're going to do," Moe said. "And the closer that you can have family to those children when they're having whatever that health-care challenge is, the better they're going to do. And that's what the Ronald McDonald House charity is about."

Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill echoed Moe's sentiments.

"When a family is well supported and can in turn support their child, there are better outcomes from a healing perspective," Cockrill said. "I can't think of something more crucial than being near to our kids as they undergo treatment."

Moe said he hopes funding organizations like the Ronald McDonald House can inspire people to participate and be proactive in the community.

"Walk toward these initiatives," Moe said. "Walk toward them and offer your time. Walk toward them and offer your money if you have it."

Ronald McDonald House Charities has served around 30,000 families in Saskatchewan since its inception in 1985.

The construction of the Prince Albert facility will begin late spring 2025 and is expected to be completed in early 2027.