The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation has received a $4 million donation from the Rotary Wellness Centre Society to support the construction of the new Ken Sargent House near the hospital.
The Ken Sargent House will serve as a “home away from home” for patients at the Regional Hospital, and their families.
Rotary Wellness Centre Society donated $2 million and committed another $2 million towards the cost of construction. Officials say the house will be built near the hospital on an acre of land donated by Northwestern Polytechnic, but the foundation will be in charge of all fundraising, construction, and future operations in the new facility.
Ken Sargent House Director Dale Bond says the need for the house stems from the desire to alleviate the stress and financial burden on families during their loved one’s treatment.
“When anyone is sick, the whole family is sick,” he says. “The Ken Sargent House will be more than a place to sleep; it will care for families’ needs, so they can focus on their loved one during medical treatment.”
Officials suggest the success of the initiative has been largely due to the “longstanding support” of Ken Sargent, who, in November 2023, committed a significant gift to support the future operating costs of the facility, to ensure the house can sustain its services for many years to come.
