Ivan and Shianne Trudel spent a lot of time in the Saskatoon Ronald McDonald House after the birth of their son Thomas. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

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The planned construction of Prince Albert’s Ronald McDonald House (RMH) hits close to home for a local couple.

Ivan and Shianne Trudel spent months in the Saskatoon RMH beginning in 2017, following the birth of their son Thomas, who had a very rare genetic condition.

“The Ronald McDonald House always felt like home. Our girls could just be kids, they could have fun, they could play and we also felt that we have support from all the staff,” said Shianne Trudel.

They also had two daughters who were 18 months and three at the time.

Thomas Trudel spent much of his three years on earth in hospitals, his family used the Ronald McDonald House while they spent time with him. (submitted/Shianne Trudel)

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In Saskatoon, they stayed at the Ronald McDonald House which, in addition to having kitchens to cook in and living rooms for relaxation, also holds other families who have children in hospital.

Shianne would stay in the house, keep her daughters close and spend time with her infant son in the hospital and Ivan would drive back to Prince Albert for work.

“Thomas spent the first year of his life in the hospital,” Shianne said. “We spent 140 nights at the Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon before Thomas was transferred to the Prince Albert Hospital.”

After that, they spent a lot of time in the Ronald McDonald Family Room in the Victoria Hospital on the pediatric floor. The room provides snacks and allowed them to take Thomas out of his room and be in the family room together.

“We had support from all the staff, and we also made friendships with other families who are staying in the house,” she said.

In addition to saving a lot of money, the accommodation took off a lot of stress of travel and logistics for the young family.

“Unfortunately, Thomas passed away when he was three years old so we have not had to use the Ronald McDonald House or the family room, but we are so very grateful for the support we received,” she said.

The Trudels were the featured family at the announcement by the provincial government and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Saskatchewan that Prince Albert’s own house will begin construction this spring, just blocks away from the hospital.

With fundraising 80 per cent complete, the province promised $3.5 million in funds to help the house begin construction this year.

The house will have 12 bedrooms, a smudge room, a communal kitchen, dining room, living room, a play space and a family game room.

“This service is offered at what is a very, if not the most stressful, time of families lives,” said Premier Scott Moe, who also talked about how his own children have accessed health services in Prince Albert at clinics or the Victoria Hospital.

“Families can count on the Ronald McDonald House, an affordable place where they feel welcomed and cared for.”

Last week, the province announced more funding for another Ronald McDonald House in Regina which will have 20 rooms.

As he has said in the past, Moe pointed out that this project, along with the Victoria Hospital expansion currently underway, are meant to service communities across northern Saskatchewan.

Tammy Forester, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan said the gift of $10 million ($3.5M to Prince Albert and $6.5M to Regina) is an exciting milestone.

“This historic provincial gift of $10 million marks the very first gift from the province of Saskatchewan to Ronald McDonald House, and we are sincerely grateful,” she said.

The 12-room building in Prince Albert will be home to 494 families each year, which means the charity goes from being able to meet 20 per cent of the provincial need to 50 per cent across the province.

The two new buildings alone will save families over $6 million in out-of-pocket expenses.

“This is a true investment into Saskatchewan families and family-centred care, where families share the burdens they carry with others in similar circumstances,” she said.

While the construction will start with local contractors who already are aware of the national push to buy Canadian in response to Trump Tariffs, the city of Prince Albert will finish paving 25th Street past the facility this year as well.

Other services were installed last year.

The public is invited to participate by donating the remaining 20 per cent. Lake Country Co-op donated the land that helped kick off the Miles To Go campaign several years ago.

A group of dignitaries at the official groundbreaking for the new Ronald McDonald House in Prince Albert. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bksy.social