Medicine Hat's Ronald McDonald House is now open and serving families in the region. The house is located on Fourth Street SW close to Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Medicine Hat’s Ronald McDonald House is now open and serving families in the area.
“RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities) Canada is delighted to celebrate the opening of Ronald McDonald House Medicine Hat – the 16th Ronald McDonald House in Canada, and fourth across Alberta,” Kate Horton, executive director, RMHC Canada said in a press release. “The opening of the Medicine Hat House brings a new, essential service to this community, and will ensure that even more families have a caring and comforting place to stay together during their child’s medical journey, when they need it most.”
While officially open, due to strict COVID-19 protocols, the Ronald McDonald House in Medicine Hat is following a four-phase family intake process to ensure a safe and gradual build-up to full occupancy, and looks forward to welcoming volunteers in the near future.
In the spring of 2019 an $800,000 donation by Bill & Elizabeth Yuill and the Yuill Family Foundation covered construction costs to renovate an existing home on Fourth Street SW near the hospital.
“The community support for this project has been overwhelming since construction began, which is an affirmation of the need for this investment in the community of Medicine Hat and a reflection of the strength of the families who make up southern Alberta,” said Bill, chair of the Yuill Family Foundation.
Construction began in April 2019, after a feasibility study determined the facility would operate at about 85 per cent occupancy year-round, translating to approximately 2,190 nights of comfort for families in need.
An older bungalow was converted into a 4,100 square-foot home with six private family suites, a communal kitchen, utility area, laundry room and games room.
A new entrance on the side of the house leads into a hall and then an office area. There is a spacious and light-flooded open-concept kitchen, dining room and living room.
Every room in the house was sponsored to cover the cost of interior design and decor.
In the basement there is a full laundry and another very special room that will be pure magic.
Each Ronald McDonald House across the province has a uniquely themed “magic room” – a place where children staying there can go and choose a gift for themselves but it goes way beyond that to make it a magical and memorable experience.
Medicine Hat’s Ronald McDonald House is the fourth to be built in Alberta after Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer.
“Whether we’re providing overnight accommodation to out-of-town families, or enabling day use of our facilities and programs for locals, we are looking forward to serving even more families from the Palliser Triangle,” said Jason Evanson, CEO of RMHC Alberta.
