Saskatchewan’s First Wellness Centre to Open Fall 2027

A new wellness centre, the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, is set to open in the fall of 2027 at the site of the former Pleasant Hill School in Saskatoon. The facility will be located alongside the city’s inaugural urgent care centre, significantly enhancing local healthcare services.

Jay Ahenakew Funk, CEO of Ahtahkakoop Cree Developments, announced that the wellness centre will feature advanced medical equipment, including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, ultrasound facilities, and CT scans. “In that imaging clinic, we have state of the art, the most newest equipment Canon has in Saskatchewan,” Funk stated. Additionally, a pharmacy will be part of the centre, further expanding its capabilities.

The project aims to address the healthcare needs of the community by offering a variety of services. Funk indicated that staffing for the wellness centre will be conducted in partnership with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT). The centre will require professionals such as X-ray technicians, mental health and addiction counsellors, and will even incorporate an elder’s program to support the local population.

“This is 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,” Funk added.

The proximity of the wellness centre to the urgent care facility is designed to enhance collaboration between the two healthcare teams. Funk explained the importance of having both facilities close together, stating, “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 visitors, a 150-stall parkade will be constructed adjacent to the wellness centre, addressing parking needs in the area. The urgent care facility, currently at 70 percent completion, is also expected to be operational by early 2027.

This $50 million project is anticipated to alleviate wait times for medical services in Saskatchewan, as it will feature equipment typically found only in hospitals. The introduction of these advanced facilities is a significant step towards improving healthcare accessibility for residents in Saskatoon and beyond.

For more information on the wellness centre and its offerings, further updates will be provided as the opening date approaches.