Ronald McDonald House Charities CEO Tammy Forrester outlined what the Prince Albert build will mean to the region. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Ronald McDonald House

Outlining Ronald McDonald House build in Prince Albert’s effect on the northeast

Apr 3, 2025 | 10:00 AM

The CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities was in Melfort Wednesday to discuss their expansion to Prince Albert.

Tammy Forrester spoke to various stakeholders at the Kerry Vickar Centre, explaining the building of new Ronald McDonald Houses in Prince Albert and Regina.

“The Prince Albert project is well underway,” Forrester told northeastNOW. “It will be a 12-room house that will support families that have to travel into Prince Albert for the health care of their child or children.”

Renderings of the Ronald McDonald House being built in Prince Albert. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW)

Currently, the lone Ronald McDonald House is in Saskatoon. They help families that live more than 40 kilometres from Saskatoon through providing accommodation, food, and many other supports. Many families in the northeast have been supported through the program since its inception in Saskatoon in 1985. However, Forrester said the need is there to expand the program to both P.A. and Regina.

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“We do know that a house in Prince Albert will also support families from Melfort and Nipawin and Tisdale, and all the surrounding areas,” said Forrester. “The house will be built for them.”

What the inside of the Prince Albert Ronald McDonald House will look like. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

For Ronald McDonald House Charities, it’s all about helping families, according to Forrester. People think of the young patient that is undergoing medical procedures, but Forrester said the struggles don’t end with them. The entire family is affected.

“They’re leaving a job or they’re walking away from their house, and they’re still having mortgages to pay and utilities to pay…but they’re actually thinking about their child in the hospital or receiving medical care, and everything else just kind of isn’t important.”

Forrester said their goal through the Ronald McDonald House is to “wrap their arms around the entire family” and make the journey a little easier for them.

The organization has raised just over 80 per cent of the funds for the Prince Albert project so far. Tenders for the project will start going out toward the end of April, and they hope to get into the ground in May or June.

“With an 18-month build, we really want to be open and functioning in early 2027.”

The Miles to Go Capital Campaign will continue as fundraising efforts for both the Prince Albert and Regina projects continue. However, there is an easy way for Saskatchewan residents to help raise money for all of the houses.

When ordering at your local McDonald’s location, if you ask the cashier to “Round Up” on your order to the nearest dollar, that money will go directly to Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan.

“There is no other organization that is supported by McDonald’s through the ‘Round Up’ program,” said Forrester. “That is a very simple, easy, effective way to support the Ronald McDonald House.”

Forrester said anyone interested in hearing more about the project can contact Ronald McDonald House – Saskatchewan and their team is willing to make presentations across the province about the builds and the organization. Once the Prince Albert house is operating, they will be looking for volunteers and other community support.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com