Ronald McDonald House on schedule for winter opening

“I’m ecstatic, I mean this is fantastic,” said Phin. “Watching this house take shape is kind of a dream come true.”

He was joined by Heather Lemeshuk with the Yuill Family Foundation, who walked through the front door for the first time since the announcement of the build in April.

“This started out with the very small 800 square foot house,” said Lemeshuk. “So, it’s quite amazing right now to see it as big as it is.”

A second level addition has expanded the building to over 4,300 square feet and will feature six private bedrooms for those staying.

Framing is near completion while project manager Brad Wenzel said they’ll soon begin work outdoors.

“We’re putting new windows in this week, exterior [work] is scheduled to start this week as well,” said Wenzel. “So, we’re on track.”

In the first hour after Ronald McDonald House’s announcement in April, public offerings of donations and volunteer hours began pouring in.

An immediate wave of support that Phin has rarely, if ever seen before from a new host community.

“We pulsed our colleagues across the country, very few of them have had this kind of experience,” he said. “The outpouring of community support here in Medicine Hat is truly outstanding.”

According to Wenzel, even tradespeople working on the house are wanting to chip in and give back as well.

“A lot of the trades and suppliers are donating back something to Ronald McDonald House, so it’s really good,” he said.

The biggest donation came on April 8, when the Yuill Family Foundation partnered with RMHC and contributed $800,000 to cover the cost of construction and get the project off the ground.

Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin

Phin said much of the credit for the build goes towards the Yuill family and their generous contribution.

“It’s not going too far to say we probably would have not been able to open if it hadn’t been for the generosity of the Yuill Family Foundation,” he said.

Partnering on the build, Lemeshuk added they’re excited to bring a needed resource to the Medicine Hat community.

“We’re just very happy to be associated with an organization like Ronald McDonald House Charities,” she said. “To be able to bring something to our community that’s going to help families is huge.”

Phin estimated that the house on 4^th Street stands less than 80 steps away from the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and will give families enduring hardships a place to decompress.

As for Lemeshuk, she’s hoping the space will become a sanctuary of sorts once fully completed.

“If we can relieve that pressure just a little bit, that’s well worth every nail in here,” she said.

Medicine Hat’s Ronald McDonald House is slated to open sometime in mid-January, while an information session will be held July 30 for anyone interested in volunteering once the home is operational.

Those interested in the session can email volunteer and program manager Lori Rechlo at lrechlo@rmhcsca.org.

by Scott Roblin

Ronald McDonald House on schedule for winter opening

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