Saskatchewan Launches Innovative Wellness Centre Next Fall

A groundbreaking wellness centre is set to open in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in the fall of 2027. The facility will be located in the renovated Pleasant Hill School on 20th Street, which closed in 2023. This centre will mark the first of its kind in the province, featuring a state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, along with an urgent care centre.

According to Jay Ahenakew Funk, CEO of Ahtahkakoop Cree Developments, the wellness centre will provide advanced imaging technology, including MRI, ultrasound, and CT scans. “In that imaging clinic, we have state-of-the-art, the most newest equipment Canon has in Saskatchewan,” Funk stated. He also mentioned that a pharmacy will be included in the facility to enhance patient care.

Ahtahkakoop Cree Developments owns the land and will oversee operations at the wellness centre, collaborating closely with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT). This partnership aims to create job opportunities in the region, with plans to hire X-ray technicians, mental health and addiction counsellors, and develop an elder’s program.

Funk emphasized the importance of the centre’s services, saying, “It’s well needed. And being from the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and representing our people, I think it’s important that the province and us as First Nations come together and put something together that’s going to be rewarding for everyone.”

The wellness centre’s strategic placement next to the urgent care facility is designed to foster collaboration between the two healthcare teams. Funk noted, “With the wellness centre, I think making sure that the programs go hand-in-hand with the urgent care, and then obviously we can help each other out. So, it’s crucial, actually. It’s an important step, being close to urgent care.”

To accommodate patients and visitors, a 150-stall parkade will be built alongside the wellness centre. Funk highlighted the need for adequate parking in the area, which is essential for accessibility.

The urgent care facility is currently at 70 percent completion, with both it and the wellness centre expected to be operational by early 2027. The total investment for this project is approximately $50 million. With equipment typically found only in hospitals, the new facilities aim to significantly reduce wait times for healthcare services in Saskatchewan.

Community members can look forward to an innovative approach to healthcare that emphasizes collaboration and accessibility, providing essential services to improve patient outcomes across the province.