Opening of Ronald McDonald House delayed until late spring or early summer

“There have been some limits with respect to the amount of people that can be on the job site,” said Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta marketing and communications manager Julie List. “Certain trades there at certain times just to keep people separate and maintain effective distancing, so that has been a bit of a challenge.”

Volunteers have also been restricted from the site, meaning the grand opening will have to wait at least until late spring or early summer.

“Before COVID-19 hit we were looking at a late May opening,” said List. “I think that will be pushed back a little bit further at this point just with progress slowing down as we limit numbers on the job site.”

Interior work on the home is nearing completion, while outdoor construction is in full swing with crews installing a James Marshall mural for the front of the house.

This work is being done as new families have been restricted from other Ronald McDonald Houses in Alberta, limiting access to those who were already living there when the pandemic broke out.

Those families will be allowed to return in a phased approach in the coming months, something that will also take place at the Medicine Hat home once open.

“There will be a phased plan to re-allow families into the houses at some point still to be determined,” said List. “When that phasing of new families into our other houses starts to occur, we will apply the same type of phasing and process in Medicine Hat.”

When completed, the Medicine Hat location will span roughly 4,300 square feet and will be able to house six families with children undergoing treatment and procedures at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.

Though their plans of a May opening have been put on the back burner for the time being, List said they’re still preparing for a celebration of sorts when that day eventually comes.

“It would have been very exciting to be able to have a grand opening as we had planned for the opening of Medicine Hat,” she said. “I think that will still happen, it will just look a little different and the time lines will be a little different. But, we are still super excited that it is progressing as planned and that we have that to look forward to.”

Financially, Ronald McDonald House Charities say they are taking a hit this summer with a number of their fundraising staples like golf tournaments and community runs being cancelled.

Anyone interested in donating to RMHC can visit their website.

by Scott Roblin

Opening of Ronald McDonald House delayed until late spring or early summer

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