Officials Break Ground on Saskatoon Cancer Patient Lodge

The Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency held a groundbreaking ceremony on October 16 for a new cancer patient lodge at 1036 College Drive in Saskatoon, according to a provincial news release.

Construction money comes from both Saskatchewan and Ottawa, each putting in more than $7 million via the Build Communities Strong Fund, the release says. The Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan is contributing $10 million.

Westridge Construction has the contract and has started site preparation, the release says.

The release describes 33 private patient rooms, three of them suites for stem cell transplant recipients, plus 14 companion spaces. Other planned features include a kitchen, lounges, an exercise room and a reflection room that can accommodate Indigenous ceremony. The lodge is meant to house patients who travel for treatment at nearby health facilities.

The former lodge, built in 1928, has been demolished. The release says temporary lodge services continue while the new building goes up near Royal University Hospital and the Saskatoon cancer centre.

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the facility will give patients a modern place to stay close to care. Saskatchewan Cancer Agency President and CEO Deb Bulych said patients and families took part in the design.

The release gives an expected completion of Spring 2028.