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A groundbreaking ceremony on Friday marked the start of a project that will provide cancer patients and their families with “a home away from home” while receiving care in Saskatoon.
Located next to Ronald McDonald House on College Drive, the new Saskatoon Cancer Patient Lodge will replace the original facility, which was demolished in 2020 due to structural concerns.
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Parkville Manor served as a temporary home during construction, welcoming 3,700 guests in 2025.
Brian Jorgensen, director of supportive care with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA), attended the groundbreaking.
In an interview with 650 CKOM, he said many out-of-town cancer patients are reluctant to leave their loved ones and familiar surroundings for extended periods while undergoing treatment.
“Unfortunately, many aren’t able to make that trip with someone beside them. It may be a spouse, a family member, or a close friend who comes to appointments or treatments and provides their loving reassurance of a familiar face.”
Jorgensen added that some guests had to fly to Saskatoon from rural communities for care.
The new lodge will have double the capacity of the existing facility, with 33 patient suites and 14 companion suites.
“We worked with First Nations and Métis patients and families to give it a really warm, welcoming feel for those who come from far away,” Jorgensen said.
He said the new facility will include four accessible suites, three specialized stem cell transplant suites and a reflection room.
“It will be an inclusive, welcoming space for everyone who wants a quiet place to pause, reflect, or take part in ceremony during their stay.”
He added that the lodge will allow patients to focus on healing while offering an affordable alternative to a hotel and helping them manage everyday needs while life becomes anything but everyday.
‘Comforting connections’
The SCA also presented a revamped design for the lodge on Friday.
Federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson announced $7.5 million to help complete the facility.
The funds are part of a larger health infrastructure funding agreement of $195 million between Ottawa and the Saskatchewan government.
However, Jorgensen said the lodge offers more than a convenient location and three home-cooked meals a day.
“The values are also largely found in the comforting connections our guests form with each other, often resulting in lifelong bonds and friendships.”
Jorgensen thanked lodge staff for their continued support and care for cancer patients.
Construction of the new lodge is scheduled to begin in spring 2028.
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