What the inside of the Rose Garden Hospice could look like. (rosegardenhospice.ca)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Hospice coming

A 14-year-old idea becoming a reality for P.A.’s Rose Garden Hospice

Apr 9, 2021 | 12:15 PM

The process of getting the Rose Garden Hospice going in Prince Albert has been in the works since 2007.

And after years of researching, lobbying, fundraising, and volunteering, construction will finally begin on May 15.

“We’re beyond thrilled,” said board member Marina Mitchell. “It was a very emotional day for all of us when we got this next portion of it going.”

Over the last 14 years, the hospice started as an idea, then it turned into more of a research project. Now, the hospice is just over a month from having shovels in the ground.

“It was researching what is a hospice. It was researching what would we want in P.A., what works, what doesn’t work, trying to get land, where’s the best land,” Mitchell said. “We were trying to get the government to cover operating costs because we all knew, as a board, we couldn’t fund operating costs. Once we got these milestones in place, then it was the fundraising, and now COVID.”

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The board has had multiple obstacles to overcome. COVID-19 has been an obvious one in the past year, as material costs have “skyrocketed,” but Mitchell said the board is going to continue marching forward.

“We’ve done a lot of work on this. There were definitely lots of ups and downs and struggles. We just persevered as a board,” Mitchell said. “Obviously, there were quite a few board members before me. We’ve had a lot of volunteers that we’ve been very fortunate to have. We don’t give up, we just keep pushing forward.”

The Rose Garden Hospice will still continue to fundraise during the construction. Over $2.6 million out of the $4 million goal has been raised. Once construction has been completed, the provincial government will cover operating costs each year, up to $2 million.

Mitchell said there will be a major fundraiser in June.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW